82_FR_37948 82 FR 37794 - Amendments to Federal Mortgage Disclosure Requirements Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z)

82 FR 37794 - Amendments to Federal Mortgage Disclosure Requirements Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z)

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 154 (August 11, 2017)

Page Range37794-37804
FR Document2017-15763

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is proposing to amend Federal mortgage disclosure requirements under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act that are implemented in Regulation Z. The proposed amendments relate to when a creditor may compare charges paid by or imposed on the consumer to amounts disclosed on a Closing Disclosure, instead of a Loan Estimate, to determine if an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith. Specifically, the proposed amendments would permit creditors to do so regardless of when the Closing Disclosure is provided relative to consummation.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37794-37804]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15763]



Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 37794]]


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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

12 CFR Part 1026

[Docket No. CFPB-2017-0018]
RIN 3170-AA61


Amendments to Federal Mortgage Disclosure Requirements Under the 
Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z)

AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is 
proposing to amend Federal mortgage disclosure requirements under the 
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act that 
are implemented in Regulation Z. The proposed amendments relate to when 
a creditor may compare charges paid by or imposed on the consumer to 
amounts disclosed on a Closing Disclosure, instead of a Loan Estimate, 
to determine if an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith. 
Specifically, the proposed amendments would permit creditors to do so 
regardless of when the Closing Disclosure is provided relative to 
consummation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CFPB-2017-
0018 or RIN 3170-AA61, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include Docket 
No. CFPB-2017-0018 or RIN 3170-AA61 in the subject line of the email.
     Electronic: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Monica Jackson, Office of the Executive Secretary, 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 
20552.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Monica Jackson, Office of the 
Executive Secretary, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1275 First 
Street NE., Washington, DC 20002.
    Instructions: All submissions should include the agency name and 
docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking. Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the 
Bureau is subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit 
comments electronically. In general, all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov. In addition, 
comments will be available for public inspection and copying at 1275 
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20002, on official business days 
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You can make an 
appointment to inspect the documents by telephoning (202) 435-7275.
    All comments, including attachments and other supporting materials, 
will become part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. 
Sensitive personal information, such as account numbers or Social 
Security numbers, should not be included. Comments will not be edited 
to remove any identifying or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro De Oliveira, Counsel, and David 
Friend and Priscilla Walton-Fein, Senior Counsels, Office of 
Regulations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20552, at 202-435-7700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Summary of the Proposed Rule

    The TILA-RESPA Rule \1\ requires creditors to provide consumers 
with good faith estimates of the loan terms and closing costs required 
to be disclosed on a Loan Estimate. Under the rule, an estimated 
closing cost is disclosed in good faith if the charge paid by or 
imposed on the consumer does not exceed the amount originally 
disclosed, except as otherwise provided in Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(ii) 
through (iv).\2\ Section 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) provides that, for certain 
types of third-party services and recording fees, estimates are 
considered to be disclosed in good faith if the total paid by or 
imposed on the consumer for those types of charges does not exceed the 
disclosed amount by more than 10 percent.\3\ Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iii) 
provides that estimates of certain other types of charges are in good 
faith if the estimate is consistent with the best information 
reasonably available to the creditor at the time it was disclosed.\4\
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    \1\ In November 2013, pursuant to sections 1098 and 1100A of the 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-
Frank Act), the Bureau issued the Integrated Mortgage Disclosures 
under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X) and 
the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) (2013 TILA-RESPA Final 
Rule), combining certain disclosures that consumers receive in 
connection with applying for and closing on a mortgage loan into two 
new forms: A Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. 78 FR 79730 (Dec. 
31, 2013). The Bureau has since finalized amendments to the 2013 
TILA-RESPA Final Rule, including in January 2015 (see 80 FR 8767 
(Feb. 19, 2015) (January 2015 Amendments)) and in July 2015 (see 80 
FR 43911 (July 24, 2015) (July 2015 Amendments)). The 2013 TILA-
RESPA Final Rule and subsequent amendments to that rule are referred 
to collectively herein as the TILA-RESPA Rule.
    \2\ 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(3)(i).
    \3\ This section also requires that, for the 10 percent 
tolerance to apply, the charge for the third-party service must not 
be paid to the creditor or an affiliate of the creditor and the 
creditor must permit the consumer to shop for the third-party 
service, consistent with Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(vi). See 12 CFR 
1026.19(e)(3)(ii)(B)-(C).
    \4\ Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iii) provides that an estimate of the 
following charges is in good faith if it is consistent with the best 
information reasonably available to the creditor at the time it is 
disclosed, regardless of whether the amount paid by the consumer 
exceeds the amount originally disclosed: (1) Prepaid interest; (2) 
property insurance premiums; (3) amounts placed into an escrow, 
impound, reserve, or similar account; (4) charges paid to third-
party service providers selected by the consumer consistent with 
Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(vi)(A) that are not on the list provided 
pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(vi)(C); and (5) charges paid for 
third-party services not required by the creditor.
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    Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) permits creditors, in certain limited 
circumstances, to use revised estimates, instead of the estimate 
originally disclosed to the consumer, to compare to the charges 
actually paid by or imposed on the consumer for purposes of determining 
whether an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith. Section 
1026.19(e)(4) contains rules for the provision and receipt of those 
revised estimates, including a requirement that any revised estimates 
used to determine good faith must be provided to the consumer within 
three business days of the creditor receiving information sufficient to 
establish that the reason for revision applies. If the conditions for 
revising the estimates used to determine good faith are met, creditors 
generally may provide these revised estimates on revised Loan Estimates 
or, in certain circumstances, on Closing Disclosures. The creditor 
cannot provide revised estimates on a Loan Estimate on or after the 
date the Closing Disclosure is provided to the consumer and the 
consumer must receive any revised Loan Estimate no later than four 
business days prior to consummation.\5\ However, if there are less than 
four business days between the time the revised version of the 
disclosures is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) (i.e., within three business days of the time the 
creditor received information sufficient to establish the reason for 
revision) and consummation, the creditor may provide the revised 
estimate on a Closing Disclosure.\6\ This is referred to herein as the 
``four-business day limit.''
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    \5\ 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(4)(ii).
    \6\ Id. at comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1.
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    On July 28, 2016, the Bureau proposed amendments to make additional 
clarifications and technical amendments to the TILA-RESPA Rule (2016 
Proposal).\7\ The proposal also

[[Page 37795]]

contained several limited substantive changes that the Bureau 
identified as potential solutions to specific implementation 
challenges. Among the clarifying changes in the 2016 Proposal was the 
proposed addition of comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2. When issuing the 2016 
Proposal, the Bureau believed that stakeholders generally understood 
that, if certain conditions are met, creditors may use an initial 
Closing Disclosure to reflect changes in costs that will be used to 
determine if an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith. 
Proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2 was intended to clarify that, if the 
conditions for issuing a revised estimate are met, creditors may 
similarly use corrected Closing Disclosures under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii) to reflect changes in costs that will be used 
to determine if an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith.
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    \7\ 81 FR 54317 (Aug. 15, 2016).
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    Despite the Bureau's limited intent regarding proposed comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-2, numerous commenters interpreted it as change that would 
broaden creditors' ability to compare charges paid by or imposed on the 
consumer to amounts disclosed on a Closing Disclosure to determine if 
an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good faith. Although 
commenters were not uniform in their interpretations of proposed 
comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2, many interpreted it as allowing creditors to 
use corrected Closing Disclosures to reflect changes in costs that will 
be used to determine if an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good 
faith, irrespective of when the corrected Closing Disclosure was 
provided relative to the timing of consummation. These commenters 
generally interpreted the proposal as retaining the four-business day 
limit for using initial Closing Disclosures to reflect changes in costs 
for purposes of determining if an estimated closing cost was disclosed 
in good faith. Commenters who interpreted the proposal to effectuate 
this substantive change were broadly supportive of it.
    Concurrent with issuing this proposal, the Bureau is issuing a 
final rule amending the TILA-RESPA Rule. The Bureau is not, however, 
finalizing comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2 as it appeared in the 2016 Proposal 
and discussed above. Instead, the Bureau is issuing this proposal, as 
the Bureau now believes that it is appropriate to pose explicitly the 
question of whether to remove the current four-business day limit for 
resetting tolerances with both initial and corrected Closing 
Disclosures. The Bureau recognizes that some stakeholders may not have 
commented on proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2 in the 2016 Proposal 
because they understood it as a narrower change than the broader 
question posed here. As described below, under the current proposal, 
creditors could use either initial or corrected Closing Disclosures to 
reflect changes in costs for purposes of determining if an estimated 
closing cost was disclosed in good faith, regardless of when the 
Closing Disclosure is provided relative to consummation.

II. Legal Authority

    The Bureau is issuing this proposal pursuant to its authority under 
TILA, RESPA, and the Dodd-Frank Act, including the authorities 
discussed below. In general, the provisions of Regulation Z that this 
proposal would amend were previously adopted by the Bureau in the TILA-
RESPA Rule, in reliance on one or more of the authorities discussed 
below. The Bureau is issuing this proposal in reliance on the same 
authority and for the same reasons relied on in adopting the relevant 
provisions of the TILA-RESPA Rule, which are described in detail in the 
Legal Authority and Section-by-Section Analysis parts of the 2013 TILA-
RESPA Final Rule and January 2015 Amendments, respectively.\8\
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    \8\ 78 FR 79730, 79753-56, 79834-37 (Dec. 31, 2013); 80 FR 8767, 
8768-70 (Feb. 19, 2015).
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A. The Integrated Disclosure Mandate

    Section 1032(f) of the Dodd-Frank Act required the Bureau to 
propose, for public comment, rules and model disclosures combining the 
disclosures required under TILA and sections 4 and 5 of RESPA into a 
single, integrated disclosure for mortgage loan transactions covered by 
those laws, unless the Bureau determined that any proposal issued by 
the Federal Reserve Board (Board) and the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development (HUD) carried out the same purpose.\9\ In addition, 
the Dodd-Frank Act amended section 105(b) of TILA and section 4(a) of 
RESPA to require the integration of the TILA disclosures and the 
disclosures required by sections 4 and 5 of RESPA.\10\ The Bureau 
provided additional discussion of this integrated disclosure mandate in 
the 2013 TILA-RESPA Final Rule.\11\
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    \9\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2007 (2010) (codified at 
12 U.S.C. 5532(f)).
    \10\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2108 (2010) (codified 
at 15 U.S.C. 1604(b)); Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2103 
(2010) (codified at 12 U.S.C. 2603(a)).
    \11\ 78 FR 79730, 79753-54 (Dec. 31, 2013).
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B. Truth in Lending Act

    TILA section 105(a). As amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, TILA section 
105(a) \12\ directs the Bureau to prescribe regulations to carry out 
the purposes of TILA and provides that such regulations may contain 
additional requirements, classifications, differentiations, or other 
provisions and may further provide for such adjustments and exceptions 
for all or any class of transactions that the Bureau judges are 
necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of TILA, to prevent 
circumvention or evasion thereof, or to facilitate compliance 
therewith. A purpose of TILA is to assure a meaningful disclosure of 
credit terms so that the consumer will be able to compare more readily 
the various available credit terms and avoid the uninformed use of 
credit.\13\ In enacting TILA, Congress found that economic 
stabilization would be enhanced and the competition among the various 
financial institutions and other firms engaged in the extension of 
consumer credit would be strengthened by the informed use of 
credit.\14\ Strengthened competition among financial institutions is a 
goal of TILA, achieved through the meaningful disclosure of credit 
terms.\15\ For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau proposes these 
amendments pursuant to its authority under TILA section 105(a). The 
Bureau believes the proposed amendments effectuate the purpose of TILA 
under TILA section 102(a) of meaningful disclosure of credit terms to 
consumers and facilitate compliance with the statute by clarifying when 
particular disclosures may be provided. The proposal would also further 
TILA's goals by ensuring more reliable estimates, which would foster 
competition among financial institutions. The proposal would also 
prevent circumvention or evasion of TILA.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 1604(a).
    \13\ Id. at 1601(a).
    \14\ Id.
    \15\ The Bureau provided additional discussion of the history of 
TILA section 105(a) and its interaction with the provisions of TILA 
section 129 that apply to high-cost mortgages in the 2013 TILA-RESPA 
Final Rule. As the Bureau explained, the Bureau's authority under 
TILA section 105(a) to make adjustments and exceptions applies to 
all transactions subject to TILA, including high-cost mortgages, 
except with respect to the provisions of TILA section 129 that apply 
uniquely to such high-cost mortgages. 78 FR 79730, 79754 (Dec. 31, 
2013).
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    TILA section 129B(e). Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(a) amended TILA 
to add new section 129B(e).\16\ That section authorizes the Bureau to 
prohibit or condition terms, acts, or practices relating to residential 
mortgage loans that the Bureau finds to be abusive, unfair, deceptive, 
predatory, necessary, or proper to ensure that responsible,

[[Page 37796]]

affordable mortgage credit remains available to consumers in a manner 
consistent with the purposes of sections 129B and 129C of TILA, to 
prevent circumvention or evasion thereof, or to facilitate compliance 
with such sections, or are not in the interest of the borrower. In 
developing rules under TILA section 129B(e), the Bureau has considered 
whether the rules are in the interest of the borrower, as required by 
the statute. The Bureau is issuing this proposal pursuant to its 
authority under TILA section 129B(e). The Bureau believes the proposal 
is consistent with TILA section 129B(e).
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    \16\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2141 (2010) (codified 
at 15 U.S.C. 1639B(e)).
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C. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Section 19(a)

    Section 19(a) of RESPA authorizes the Bureau to prescribe such 
rules and regulations and to make such interpretations and grant such 
reasonable exemptions for classes of transactions as may be necessary 
to achieve the purposes of RESPA.\17\ One purpose of RESPA is to effect 
certain changes in the settlement process for residential real estate 
that will result in more effective advance disclosure to home buyers 
and sellers of settlement costs.\18\ In addition, in enacting RESPA, 
Congress found that consumers are entitled to greater and more timely 
information on the nature and costs of the settlement process and to be 
protected from unnecessarily high settlement charges caused by certain 
abusive practices in some areas of the country.\19\
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    \17\ 12 U.S.C. 2617(a).
    \18\ Id. at 2601(b).
    \19\ Id. at 2601(a). In the past, RESPA section 19(a) has served 
as a broad source of authority to prescribe disclosures and 
substantive requirements to carry out the purposes of RESPA.
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    In developing rules under RESPA section 19(a), the Bureau has 
considered the purposes of RESPA, including to effect certain changes 
in the settlement process that will result in more effective advance 
disclosure of settlement costs. The Bureau proposes these amendments 
pursuant to its authority under RESPA section 19(a). For the reasons 
discussed below, the Bureau believes the proposal is consistent with 
those purposes by fostering more effective advance disclosure to home 
buyers and sellers of settlement costs.

D. Dodd-Frank Act

    Dodd-Frank Act section 1032. Section 1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
provides that the Bureau may prescribe rules to ensure that the 
features of any consumer financial product or service, both initially 
and over the term of the product or service, are fully, accurately, and 
effectively disclosed to consumers in a manner that permits consumers 
to understand the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the 
product or service, in light of the facts and circumstances.\20\ The 
authority granted to the Bureau in section 1032(a) is broad and 
empowers the Bureau to prescribe rules regarding the disclosure of the 
features of consumer financial products and services generally. 
Accordingly, the Bureau may prescribe rules containing disclosure 
requirements even if other Federal consumer financial laws do not 
specifically require disclosure of such features. Dodd-Frank Act 
section 1032(c) provides that, in prescribing rules pursuant to section 
1032, the Bureau shall consider available evidence about consumer 
awareness, understanding of, and responses to disclosures or 
communications about the risks, costs, and benefits of consumer 
financial products or services.\21\ Accordingly, in developing the 
TILA-RESPA Rule under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau 
considered available studies, reports, and other evidence about 
consumer awareness, understanding of, and responses to disclosures or 
communications about the risks, costs, and benefits of consumer 
financial products or services. Moreover, the Bureau has considered the 
evidence developed through its consumer testing of the integrated 
disclosures as well as prior testing done by the Board and HUD 
regarding TILA and RESPA disclosures. See part III of the 2013 TILA-
RESPA Final Rule for a discussion of the Bureau's consumer testing.\22\ 
The Bureau proposes these amendments pursuant to its authority under 
Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a). For the reasons discussed below, the 
Bureau believes that the proposal is consistent with Dodd-Frank Act 
section 1032(a) by promoting full, accurate, and effective disclosure 
of the features of consumer credit transactions secured by real 
property in a manner that permits consumers to understand the costs, 
benefits, and risks associated with the product or service, in light of 
the facts and circumstances.
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    \20\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2006-07 (2010) 
(codified at 12 U.S.C. 5532(a)).
    \21\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2007 (2010) (codified 
at 12 U.S.C. 5532(c)).
    \22\ 78 FR 79730, 79743-50 (Dec. 31, 2013).
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    Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(b). Section 1405(b) of the Dodd-Frank 
Act provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of title XIV of 
the Dodd-Frank Act, in order to improve consumer awareness and 
understanding of transactions involving residential mortgage loans 
through the use of disclosures, the Bureau may exempt from or modify 
disclosure requirements, in whole or in part, for any class of 
residential mortgage loans if the Bureau determines that such exemption 
or modification is in the interest of consumers and in the public 
interest.\23\ Section 1401 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which amends TILA 
section 103(cc)(5), generally defines a residential mortgage loan as 
any consumer credit transaction that is secured by a mortgage on a 
dwelling or on residential real property that includes a dwelling, 
other than an open-end credit plan or an extension of credit secured by 
a consumer's interest in a timeshare plan.\24\ Notably, the authority 
granted by section 1405(b) applies to disclosure requirements generally 
and is not limited to a specific statute or statutes. Accordingly, 
Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(b) is a broad source of authority to exempt 
from or modify the disclosure requirements of TILA and RESPA. In 
developing rules for residential mortgage loans under Dodd-Frank Act 
section 1405(b), the Bureau has considered the purposes of improving 
consumer awareness and understanding of transactions involving 
residential mortgage loans through the use of disclosures and the 
interests of consumers and the public. The Bureau proposes these 
amendments pursuant to its authority under Dodd-Frank Act section 
1405(b). For the reasons discussed below, the Bureau believes the 
proposal is in the interest of consumers and in the public interest, 
consistent with Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(b).
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    \23\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2142 (2010) (codified 
at 15 U.S.C. 1601 note).
    \24\ Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2138 (2010) (codified 
at 15 U.S.C. 1602(cc)(5)).
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III. Proposed Implementation Period

    The Bureau seeks comment on when the changes proposed should be 
effective. The Bureau believes that these changes should enable 
industry to comply with the TILA-RESPA Rule more cost-effectively and 
that industry should be able to implement these changes relatively 
quickly. At the same time, the Bureau recognizes that the proposed 
changes could involve changes to systems or procedures. The Bureau 
specifically requests that technology vendors, creditors, mortgage 
brokers, settlement agents, and other entities affected by the proposal 
provide details on any updates to software and systems and other 
measures that would be necessary to implement the proposed changes. The 
Bureau further seeks comment on whether there is a

[[Page 37797]]

particular day of the week, time of month, or time of year that would 
most facilitate implementation of the proposed changes.
    The Bureau proposes an effective date 30 days after publication in 
the Federal Register of any final rule based on this proposal and seeks 
comment on the same.

IV. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 1026.19 Certain Mortgage and Variable-Rate Transactions

19(e) Mortgage Loans Secured By Real Property--Early Disclosures
19(e)(4) Provision and Receipt of Revised Disclosures
    The 2013 TILA-RESPA Final Rule combined certain disclosures that 
consumers receive in connection with applying for and closing on a 
mortgage loan into two new, integrated forms. The first new form, the 
Loan Estimate, replaced the RESPA Good Faith Estimate and the early 
Truth in Lending disclosure. The rule requires creditors to deliver or 
place in the mail the Loan Estimate no later than three business days 
after the consumer submits a loan application.\25\ The second form, the 
Closing Disclosure, replaced the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and the 
final Truth in Lending disclosure. The rule requires creditors to 
ensure that consumers receive the Closing Disclosure at least three 
business days before consummation.\26\
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    \25\ 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(1)(iii).
    \26\ Id. at Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(ii).
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    Section 1026.19(e)(1)(i) requires creditors to provide consumers 
with good faith estimates of the disclosures required in Sec.  1026.37, 
which describes the loan terms and closing costs required to be 
disclosed on the Loan Estimate. Under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(i), an 
estimated closing cost is disclosed in good faith if the charge paid by 
or imposed on the consumer does not exceed the amount originally 
disclosed, except as otherwise provided in Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(ii) 
through (iv). Section 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) further provides that estimates 
for certain third-party services and recording fees are in good faith 
if the sum of all such charges paid by or imposed on the consumer does 
not exceed the sum of all such charges disclosed on the Loan Estimate 
by more than 10 percent. Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iii) provides that 
certain other estimates are in good faith so long as they are 
consistent with the best information reasonably available to the 
creditor at the time they are disclosed, regardless of whether and by 
how much the amount paid by the consumer exceeds the disclosed 
estimate. The allowed variance between estimated closing costs and the 
actual amounts paid by or imposed on the consumer are referred to as 
``tolerances.''
    Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) permits creditors, in certain limited 
circumstances, to use revised estimates of charges, instead of the 
estimate of charges originally disclosed to the consumer, to compare to 
the charges actually paid by or imposed on the consumer for purposes of 
determining whether an estimated closing cost was disclosed in good 
faith pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii) (i.e., whether the 
actual charge exceeds the allowed tolerance). This is referred to as 
resetting tolerances. The circumstances under which creditors may reset 
tolerances are: (1) A defined set of changed circumstances that cause 
estimated charges to increase or, in the case of certain estimated 
charges, cause the aggregate amount of such charges to increase by more 
than 10 percent,\27\ (2) the consumer is ineligible for an estimated 
charge previously disclosed because of a changed circumstance that 
affects the consumer's creditworthiness or the value of the property 
securing the transaction, (3) the consumer requests revisions to the 
credit terms or the settlement that cause an estimated charge to 
increase, (4) points or lender credits change because the interest rate 
was not locked when the Loan Estimate was provided, (5) the consumer 
indicated an intent to proceed with the transaction more than 10 
business days after the Loan Estimate was provided to the consumer, and 
(6) the loan is a construction loan that is not expected to close until 
more than 60 days after the Loan Estimate has been provided to the 
consumer and the creditor clearly and conspicuously states that a 
revised disclosure may be issued.
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    \27\ ``Changed circumstance'' is defined to mean: (1) An 
extraordinary event beyond the control of any interested party or 
other unexpected event specific to the consumer or transaction; (2) 
information specific to the consumer or transaction that the 
creditor relied upon when providing the Loan Estimate and that was 
inaccurate or changed after the disclosures were provided; or (3) 
new information specific to the consumer or transaction that the 
creditor did not rely on when providing the original Loan Estimate. 
12 CFR 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A).
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    Section 1026.19(e)(4) contains rules for the provision and receipt 
of revised estimates used to reset tolerances. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(i) 
provides the general rule that, subject to the requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(ii), if a creditor uses a revised estimate to determine 
good faith (i.e., to reset tolerances), the creditor shall provide a 
Loan Estimate reflecting the revised estimate within three business 
days of receiving information sufficient to establish that a 
permissible reason for revision applies. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) 
imposes timing restrictions on the provision of revised Loan Estimates. 
Specifically, Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) states that the creditor shall 
not provide a revised Loan Estimate on or after the date on which the 
creditor provides the Closing Disclosure. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) 
also provides that the consumer must receive any revised Loan Estimate 
not later than four business days prior to consummation.
    Regulation Z therefore limits creditors' ability to provide revised 
Loan Estimates relative to the provision of the Closing Disclosure and 
to consummation. In issuing the 2013 TILA-RESPA Final Rule, the Bureau 
explained that it was aware of cases where creditors provided revised 
RESPA Good Faith Estimates at the real estate closing, along with the 
HUD-1 settlement statement.\28\ The Bureau was concerned that the 
practice of providing both good faith estimates of closing costs and an 
actual statement of closing costs at the same time could be confusing 
for consumers and diminish their awareness and understanding of the 
transaction. The Bureau was also concerned about consumers receiving 
seemingly duplicative disclosures that could contribute to information 
overload. For this reason, the Bureau adopted the provision of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(ii) that prohibits creditors from providing revised Loan 
Estimates on or after the date the creditor provides the Closing 
Disclosure. The Bureau adopted the provision of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) 
that requires that consumers receive the revised Loan Estimate not 
later than four business days prior to consummation to ensure that 
consumers did not receive a revised Loan Estimate on the same date as 
the Closing Disclosure in cases where the Loan Estimate is not provided 
to the consumer in person.
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    \28\ 78 FR at 79836.
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    Comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 clarifies when creditors may reset 
tolerances with a Closing Disclosure instead of with a revised Loan 
Estimate. Specifically, the comment explains that if there are less 
than four business days between the time the revised version of the 
disclosures is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) (i.e., within three business days of receiving 
information sufficient to establish a reason for revision) and 
consummation, creditors can reflect revised disclosures

[[Page 37798]]

to reset tolerances on the Closing Disclosure.
    The Bureau originally proposed commentary in 2012 that would have 
stated that creditors may reflect the revised disclosures on the 
Closing Disclosure, without regard to the timing of consummation.\29\ 
However, the 2013 TILA-RESPA Final Rule contained the four-business day 
limit. The Bureau understands from outreach through its implementation 
process, and through comments received in response to the 2016 
Proposal, that there is significant confusion in the market about the 
timing requirements related to issuing revised disclosures for purposes 
of resetting tolerances and, in particular, the use of Closing 
Disclosures for this purpose.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See proposed comment 19(e)(4)-2 at 77 FR 51116, 51426 (Aug. 
23, 2012) (``Creditors comply with the requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4) if the revised disclosures are reflected in the 
disclosures required by Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i).'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 2016 Proposal
    In the 2016 Proposal, the Bureau proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-2 to 
clarify one implementation issue related to the use of Closing 
Disclosures to reset tolerances. Specifically, the proposed comment was 
intended to clarify that creditors may use corrected Closing 
Disclosures provided under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii) (in addition 
to the initial Closing Disclosure) to reflect changes in costs that 
will be used to reset tolerances.\30\ As noted above, existing comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-1 clarifies that creditors may reflect revised estimates 
on the Closing Disclosure to reset tolerances if there are less than 
four business days between the time the revised version of the 
disclosures is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. Although comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 
expressly references only the Closing Disclosure required by Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i), the Bureau has provided informal guidance that the 
provision also applies to corrected Closing Disclosures provided 
pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii). The Bureau proposed comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-2 to clarify this point.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See 81 FR 54317, 54334 (Aug. 15, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A summary of the comments received on proposed comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-2 can be found in the final rule associated with the 2016 
Proposal issued concurrently with this proposal. As explained in that 
comment summary, many commenters interpreted proposed comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-2 as allowing creditors to use corrected Closing 
Disclosures to reset tolerances regardless of when consummation is 
expected to occur, as long as the creditor provides the corrected 
Closing Disclosure within three business days of receiving information 
sufficient to establish a reason for revision applies pursuant to Sec.  
1029.19(e)(4)(i). Specifically, under this interpretation, creditors 
could provide initial Closing Disclosures to reset tolerances only if 
there are less than four business days between the time the revised 
version of the disclosures is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. But this interpretation would remove 
the four-business day limit for corrected Closing Disclosures provided 
pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2) and therefore allow creditors to 
provide corrected Closing Disclosures to reset tolerances regardless of 
when consummation is expected to occur. Commenters were not uniform in 
their interpretation of the proposal.
    Commenters who interpreted the proposal as removing the four-
business day limit as it applies to corrected Closing Disclosures were 
generally supportive, citing uncertainty about the proper 
interpretation of current rules and stating that current timing rules 
regarding resetting tolerances with a Closing Disclosure are 
unworkable. In particular, some of these commenters described a 
situation that could occur if the creditor has already provided the 
Closing Disclosure and an event occurs or a consumer requests a change 
that causes an increase in closing costs that would be a reason for 
revision under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv). In some circumstances, the 
creditor may be unable to provide a corrected Closing Disclosure to 
reset tolerances because there are four or more days between the time 
the revised disclosures would be required to be provided pursuant to 
Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. Commenters seemed to identify 
this as most likely to occur where there was also a delay in the 
scheduled consummation date after the initial Closing Disclosure is 
provided to the consumer.
    The Bureau understands that this situation can occur because of the 
intersection of current timing rules regarding the provision of revised 
estimates to reset tolerances. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) prohibits 
creditors from providing Loan Estimates on or after the date on which 
the creditor provides the Closing Disclosure. In many cases, this 
limitation would not create issues for creditors because current 
comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 explains that creditors may reflect revised 
estimates on a Closing Disclosure to reset tolerances if there are less 
than four business days between the time the revised version of the 
disclosures is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. But there is no similar provision 
that explicitly provides that creditors may use a Closing Disclosure to 
reflect the revised disclosures if there are four or more days between 
the time the revised version of the disclosures is required to be 
provided pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. 
Commenters stated that this can lead to circumstances where creditors 
are unable to provide either a revised Loan Estimate (because the 
Closing Disclosure has been provided) or a corrected Closing Disclosure 
(because there are four or more days prior to consummation) to reset 
tolerances. Commenters referred to this situation as a ``gap'' or 
``black hole'' in the rules.
    Many commenters perceived the proposal as resolving this issue 
because they interpreted it as allowing creditors to use corrected 
Closing Disclosures to reset tolerances even if there are four or more 
business days between the time the revised version of the disclosures 
is required to be provided pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and 
consummation. Some commenters who interpreted the proposal in this way 
supported that perceived change, but also cautioned about unintended 
consequences. For example, some commenters stated that eliminating the 
four-business day limit for corrected Closing Disclosures might remove 
a disincentive that currently exists under the rule from providing the 
initial Closing Disclosure extremely early in the mortgage origination 
process, which these commenters stated would not be consistent with the 
Bureau's intent that the Closing Disclosure be a statement of actual 
costs.
The Current Proposal
    The Bureau understands from comments received in response to the 
2016 Proposal and from outreach that current timing rules regarding 
resetting tolerances with Closing Disclosures have led to uncertainty 
in the market and created implementation challenges that could have 
unintended consequences for both consumers and creditors. For this 
reason, the Bureau is issuing this proposal to amend Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4) and associated commentary to remove the four-business day 
limit for providing Closing Disclosures for purposes of resetting 
tolerances and determining if an estimated closing cost was disclosed 
in good faith. Consistent with current comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1, the 
proposal would allow creditors to reset tolerances by providing a 
Closing Disclosure

[[Page 37799]]

(including any corrected disclosures provided under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)) within three business days of receiving 
information sufficient to establish that a reason for revision applies. 
Unlike current comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1, however, the proposal would not 
restrict the creditor's ability to reset tolerances with a Closing 
Disclosure (either with the initial Closing Disclosure or any corrected 
Closing Disclosures provided pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or 
(ii)) to the period of less than four business days between the time 
the revised version of the disclosures is required to be provided 
pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.
    The Bureau believes that in most cases in which a creditor learns 
about cost increases that are a permissible reason to reset tolerances 
the creditor will not have already provided a Closing Disclosure to the 
consumer. To the extent any increases in closing costs occur, the 
Bureau expects that creditors will typically provide a revised Loan 
Estimate (and not a Closing Disclosure) for the purpose of resetting 
tolerances and that these Loan Estimates will be used in determining 
good faith under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii). At the same time, the 
Bureau understands that events that can affect closing costs may occur 
close to the time of consummation, even after the initial Closing 
Disclosure has been provided to the consumer. The Bureau also 
understands that events may result in consummation being delayed past 
the time that was expected when the creditor provided the Closing 
Disclosure to the consumer. Some events can both affect closing costs 
and lead to a delay in consummation. These events may be outside the 
control of the creditor or, in some cases, requested by the consumer. 
Possible examples include weather related events that delay closing and 
lead to additional appraisal or inspection costs or illness by a buyer 
or seller that could delay closing and lead to the imposition of 
additional costs, such as a rate lock extension fee. The Bureau 
understands that if creditors cannot pass these increased costs to 
consumers in the specific transactions where they arise, creditors may 
spread the costs across all consumers by pricing their loan products 
with a margin. The Bureau also understands from outreach and from 
comments received in response to the 2016 Proposal that creditors may 
seek other ways of avoiding absorbing these unexpected costs, such as 
rejecting applications from consumers, even after providing the 
consumer a Closing Disclosure.
    The Bureau is therefore proposing to allow creditors to reset 
tolerances using a Closing Disclosure, without regard to the current 
four-business day limit. Under the proposal, there would be no four-
business day limit for resetting tolerances with initial Closing 
Disclosures nor for any corrected Closing Disclosures provided pursuant 
to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii). Under the proposal, as under the 
current rule, to reset tolerances with a Closing Disclosure, creditors 
would be required to provide the Closing Disclosure to the consumer 
within three business days of receiving information sufficient to 
establish a reason for revision. Further, as under the current rule, 
creditors would be allowed to reset tolerances only under the limited 
circumstances described in Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv).
    The Bureau believes it may be appropriate to remove the four-
business day limit for resetting tolerances with both initial and 
corrected Closing Disclosures. First, the Bureau is concerned that 
applying the four-business day limit to initial Closing Disclosures but 
not corrected Closing Disclosures could incentivize creditors to 
provide consumers with initial Closing Disclosures very early in the 
lending process, which in some circumstances might be inconsistent with 
the description of the Closing Disclosure as a ``statement of the final 
loan terms and closing costs,'' \31\ and the requirement under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i) that the disclosures on the Closing Disclosure are to 
be a statement of ``the actual terms of the transaction.'' Second, the 
Bureau believes that applying the four-business day limit to initial 
Closing Disclosures but not corrected Closing Disclosures could create 
operational challenges and burden for creditors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See 12 CFR 1026.38(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, the Bureau is proposing to amend Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i) to provide that, subject to the requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(ii), if a creditor uses a revised estimate pursuant to 
Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of determining good faith under 
Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor shall provide a revised 
version of the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) (including any 
corrected disclosures provided under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)) 
reflecting the revised estimate within three business days of receiving 
information sufficient to establish that one of the reasons for 
revision applies.
    At the same time, the Bureau proposes to amend current comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-1 to remove the reference to the current four-business day 
limit, for consistency with the proposed amendments to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4)(i). The comment would also be amended to provide two 
additional examples, to further clarify how creditors may provide 
revised estimates on Closing Disclosures in lieu of Loan Estimates for 
purposes of determining good faith. Like the current comment, proposed 
comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 would explain that Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) 
prohibits a creditor from providing a revised version of the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) on or after the date 
on which the creditor provides the disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i). And, like the current comment, proposed comment 
19(e)(4)(ii)-1 would further explain that Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) also 
requires that the consumer must receive any revised version of the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) no later than four 
business days prior to consummation, and provides that if the revised 
version of the disclosures are not provided to the consumer in person, 
the consumer is considered to have received them three business days 
after the creditor delivers or places them in the mail. Unlike the 
current comment, proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 would then provide 
that Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) permits the creditor to provide the revised 
estimate in the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) 
(including any corrected disclosures provided under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)). The proposed comment would also add the 
following illustrative examples:
     The proposed example in comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1.iii would 
assume that consummation is scheduled for Thursday. The proposed 
example would provide that the creditor hand delivers the disclosures 
required by Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Monday and, on Tuesday, the 
consumer requests a change to the loan that would result in a revised 
disclosure pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) but would not require 
a new waiting period pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(ii). The proposed 
example would clarify that the creditor complies with the requirements 
of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the disclosures required by 
Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) reflecting the consumer-requested changes on 
Thursday.
     The proposed example in comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1.iv would 
assume that consummation is originally scheduled for Wednesday. The 
proposed example would provide that the creditor hand delivers the 
disclosures required by

[[Page 37800]]

Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) on the Friday before the scheduled consummation 
date and the APR becomes inaccurate on the Monday before the scheduled 
consummation date, such that the creditor is required to delay 
consummation and provide corrected disclosures, including any other 
changed terms, so that the consumer receives them at least three 
business days before consummation under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(ii). 
Consummation is rescheduled for Friday. The proposed comment would 
clarify that the creditor complies with the requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the disclosures required by Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(ii) reflecting the revised APR and any other changed 
terms to the consumer on Tuesday. The proposed comment would refer to 
Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(ii) and associated commentary regarding changes 
before consummation requiring a new waiting period and to comment 
19(e)(4)(i)-1 for further guidance on when sufficient information has 
been received to establish an event has occurred.
    The proposal would also make conforming amendments to the heading 
of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) and to comments 19(e)(1)(ii)-1 and 
19(e)(4)(i)-1 in light of these proposed amendments.
    Finally, the proposal would make several changes to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4) and its commentary to reflect amendments to the rule made 
by the January 2015 Amendments regarding interest rate dependent 
charges. Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D), as adopted by the 2013 TILA-
RESPA Final Rule, previously required creditors to provide the consumer 
with a revised disclosure with the revised interest rate, the points 
disclosed pursuant to Sec.  1026.37(f)(1), lender credits, and any 
other interest rate dependent charges and terms on the date the 
interest rate is locked. The January 2015 Amendments changed Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D) to provide creditors with more time (three 
business days) to provide the revised disclosure. This amendment 
harmonized the timing requirement in Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D) with 
other timing requirements for redisclosure adopted in the 2013 TILA-
RESPA Final Rule and addressed operational challenges associated with 
the prior requirement that gave creditors less time to provide revised 
disclosures regarding interest rate dependent charges. To implement 
this change, the Bureau revised Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D) to state 
that, no later than three business days after the date the interest 
rate is locked, the creditor shall provide a revised version of the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) to the consumer with 
the revised interest rate, the points disclosed pursuant to Sec.  
1026.37(f)(1), lender credits, and any other interest rate dependent 
charges and terms. In the January 2015 Amendments, the Bureau also 
adopted modified versions of proposed comments 19(e)(3)(iv)(D)-1 and 
19(e)(4)(i)-2 to reflect that change. To further reflect the changes 
made by the January 2015 Amendments to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D), the 
Bureau is proposing to amend Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and comment 
19(e)(4)(i)-1. The Bureau also proposes to remove existing comment 
19(e)(4)(i)-2, regarding the relationship to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D), which the Bureau believes may no longer be 
necessary.
    The Bureau solicits comment on the proposed changes. In particular, 
the Bureau requests information on the extent to which the current 
four-business day limit has caused situations where creditors cannot 
provide either a revised Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure to reset 
tolerances even if a reason for revision under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv) 
would otherwise permit the creditor to reset tolerances. The Bureau 
requests information on the frequency and the cause of such 
occurrences, specifically including whether the event that would have 
otherwise permitted the creditor to reset tolerances occurred after the 
Closing Disclosure had been provided to the consumer and whether there 
was a delay to the expected consummation date after the creditor 
provided the Closing Disclosure. The Bureau also requests comment on 
the average costs and the nature of such costs (i.e., rate lock 
extension fees, additional appraisal or inspections fees, or other 
fees) associated with such occurrences.
    The Bureau also requests additional information that would assist 
the Bureau in evaluating potential consequences of the proposal. For 
example, some commenters in response to the 2016 Proposal expressed 
concern that removal of the four-business day limit could result in 
some creditors providing Closing Disclosures very early in the lending 
process. These commenters suggested that, to the extent that occurs, it 
could have negative effects on some consumers. Although the Closing 
Disclosure is a statement of final loan terms and closing costs, the 
Bureau understands from comments received in response to the 2016 
Proposal and from outreach that some creditors currently provide the 
Closing Disclosure to consumers so early in the process that the terms 
and costs are nearly certain to be revised. To the extent that is 
currently true for some creditors, commenters noted that eliminating 
the current four-business day limit for resetting tolerances with a 
Closing Disclosure could remove a disincentive that currently exists to 
provide Closing Disclosures before final terms and costs are reliably 
available (i.e., under the current rule, waiting to provide the Closing 
Disclosure until close to the time of consummation decreases, to some 
extent, the likelihood of a timing issue arising with respect to 
resetting tolerances with corrected Closing Disclosures).
    Accordingly, the Bureau requests comment on the extent to which 
creditors are currently providing Closing Disclosures to consumers so 
that they are received substantially before the required three business 
days prior to consummation with terms and costs that are nearly certain 
to be revised. To the extent this is occurring, the Bureau requests 
comment on the number of business days before consummation consumers 
are receiving the Closing Disclosure. The Bureau also requests comment 
on whether creditors, in those instances, are issuing revised Closing 
Disclosures pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(f)(2). In addition, the Bureau 
requests comment on the extent to which creditors might change their 
current practices regarding provision of the Closing Disclosure if the 
proposal to remove the four-business day limit is adopted. The Bureau 
also requests comment on potential harms to consumers where creditors 
provide Closing Disclosures to consumers so that they are received more 
than the required three business days prior to consummation with terms 
and costs that are nearly certain to be revised. The Bureau 
additionally requests comment on whether it should consider adopting 
measures to prevent such harms in a future rulemaking.
    The Bureau is also concerned about other potential consequences 
that might result from removing the four-business day limit that 
currently applies to resetting tolerances with a Closing Disclosure. 
For example, compared to current rules, the proposed changes could 
allow creditors to pass more costs on to consumers. The Bureau solicits 
comment on whether the circumstances for resetting tolerances in Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(iv) provide sufficient protection against potential 
consumer harm or whether additional limitations are appropriate for 
resetting tolerances after the issuance of a Closing Disclosure. For 
example, the Bureau requests comment on whether it would be appropriate 
to allow creditors to reset tolerances with a corrected Closing 
Disclosure in circumstances that are more limited than those described 
in

[[Page 37801]]

Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv) (for example, only when the increased costs 
result from a consumer request or unforeseeable event, such as a 
natural disaster). Similarly, the Bureau requests comment on whether 
the rule should be more restrictive with respect to resetting 
tolerances with a corrected Closing Disclosure for certain third-party 
costs (such as appraisal fees) and creditor fees (such as interest rate 
lock extension fees) and the types of costs and fees that might be 
subject to any more restrictive rules. The Bureau also requests comment 
on whether removing the four-business day limit might result in 
confusion or information overload to the consumer as a result of 
receiving more corrected Closing Disclosures. The Bureau requests 
comment on additional consumer protections that might be appropriate to 
promote the purposes of the disclosures or prevent circumvention or 
evasion and additional potential consumer harms the Bureau has not 
identified.

V. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b)(2) Analysis

A. Overview

    In developing the proposed rule, the Bureau has considered the 
potential benefits, costs, and impacts.\32\ The Bureau requests comment 
on the preliminary analysis presented below as well as submissions of 
additional data that could inform the Bureau's analysis of the 
benefits, costs, and impacts. The Bureau has consulted, or offered to 
consult with, the prudential regulators, the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and 
the Department of the Treasury, including regarding consistency with 
any prudential, market, or systemic objectives administered by such 
agencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Specifically, section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-Frank Act 
calls for the Bureau to consider the potential benefits and costs of 
a regulation to consumers and covered persons, including the 
potential reduction of access by consumers to consumer financial 
products or services; the impact on depository institutions and 
credit unions with $10 billion or less in total assets as described 
in section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act; and the impact on consumers 
in rural areas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposal would make a substantive change to the current TILA-
RESPA Rule, by allowing creditors to reset tolerances with a Closing 
Disclosure (both initial and corrected), irrespective of the date of 
consummation. This new provision is restricted to circumstances where 
the rule currently allows creditors to reset tolerances, such as: 
Change in costs; new information regarding eligibility of the borrower; 
and borrower-requested change (for instance, rate lock extension). The 
potential benefits and costs of the provisions contained in the 
proposed rule are evaluated relative to the baseline where the current 
provisions of the TILA-RESPA Rule remain in place. Under the current 
rule, there is no specific provision that allows creditors to use a 
Closing Disclosure to reset tolerances if there are four or more days 
between the time the revised version of the disclosures is required to 
be provided pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation. This 
can lead to circumstances where a creditor is not allowed to reset 
tolerances if it has already provided the Closing Disclosure to the 
consumer when it learns about the increase in cost. In such cases, some 
creditors, faced with the prospect of absorbing cost increases, may 
choose to reject the application.
    The Bureau seeks comment on data that would help to quantify costs 
and benefits and any associated burden with the proposed changes. 
Specifically, the Bureau is seeking information on the frequency and 
timing of unexpected changes that occur after the Closing Disclosure 
was issued.

B. Potential Benefits and Costs to Consumers and Covered Persons

    The Bureau believes the proposed change will benefit creditors by 
providing them with an option of resetting tolerances in situations 
where they currently do not have that option. The Bureau does not 
believe there would be any increased costs to creditors from the 
proposed change compared to the baseline where the current provisions 
of the TILA-RESPA Rule remain in place, as the proposed change is less 
restrictive for creditors than the current provisions.
    The Bureau believes consumers will generally benefit from the 
proposed change, although several concerns remain; the Bureau is 
requesting comment on the merits of these concerns. It is helpful to 
consider benefits and costs to consumers separately in the following 
scenarios.
    First, there may be cases where an initial Closing Disclosure has 
been provided to the consumer well in advance of consummation where the 
creditor subsequently learns about a change in cost that would be a 
cause to reset tolerances. The creditor may be unable to reset 
tolerances currently due to the four-business day limit, and may choose 
to absorb extra costs rather than reject the application. In these 
cases the proposed change will create costs for consumers because now 
any changes in costs due to unexpected events would be passed on to 
consumers. However, in some situations, such as cost increases due to a 
borrower-requested change, these extra costs might be avoidable. To the 
extent that creditors are currently pricing in the risk of having to 
absorb unexpected cost increases, the proposed change would remove this 
extra layer of risk adjustment and create a benefit to consumers in the 
form of lower cost of credit. The Bureau is requesting comment on the 
incidence of cases where creditors have to absorb the extra cost 
increases, and the extent to which such possibility is currently priced 
into loan costs.
    Second, there may be cases where an initial Closing Disclosure has 
been provided to the consumer well in advance of consummation, where 
the creditor subsequently learns about a change in cost that would be a 
cause to reset tolerances. The creditor may be unable to reset 
tolerances currently due to the four-business day limit and may choose 
to reject the application for this reason. In such cases the proposed 
change would benefit borrowers by giving them an option of paying extra 
costs instead of having their applications rejected; the Bureau 
believes that some borrowers may prefer to pay extra costs rather than 
have their applications rejected. The Bureau is requesting comment on 
the incidence of cases where an application is rejected for the 
inability of a creditor to pass on the unexpected cost increases.
    Third, there are hypothetically situations where a creditor would 
prefer to provide the initial Closing Disclosure well in advance of 
consummation, but is deterred from doing so by the risk of not being 
able to reset tolerances in case an unexpected change occurs. In such 
cases, the proposed change may result in more situations where the 
initial Closing Disclosure is provided well in advance of consummation; 
this may affect the accuracy of the disclosure if unexpected cost 
changes occur between the issuance and the consummation. The Bureau 
believes creditors themselves may generally prefer to provide the 
initial Closing Disclosure not too far before the consummation date, to 
preserve the Closing Disclosure's role as the statement of actual costs 
and because it is a good customer service. However, the Bureau has 
received feedback from industry participants indicating that some 
creditors may prefer to provide the initial Closing Disclosure earlier 
than is their current practice; for these

[[Page 37802]]

creditors, the proposed change will provide a benefit in the form of 
additional flexibility as to the issuance of the Closing Disclosure. As 
noted previously, the Bureau is requesting comment on the extent to 
which creditors currently are providing Closing Disclosures 
substantially before the required three business days before 
consummation and, to the extent this is occurring, on the number of 
business days before consummation consumers are receiving the Closing 
Disclosure. The Bureau also is requesting comment on the extent to 
which creditors might change their current practices regarding of the 
timing of provision of the Closing Disclosures, if the proposal to 
remove the four-business day limit is adopted.

C. Impact on Covered Persons With No More Than $10 Billion in Assets

    As discussed previously, the Bureau believes the proposed change 
would not create costs for creditors, including those with no more than 
$10 billion in assets.

D. Impact on Access to Credit

    The Bureau does not believe the proposed change will have a 
negative effect on access to credit. On the contrary, the Bureau 
believes the proposed change may have a beneficial effect on access to 
credit. This may occur to the extent that the current restrictions on 
resetting tolerances using a Closing Disclosure are reflected in credit 
pricing, and to the extent that removing such restrictions would result 
in creditors reducing prices accordingly.

E. Impact on Rural Areas

    The Bureau does not believe that the proposed changes will have an 
adverse impact on consumers in rural areas.

VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the RFA), as amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, requires each 
agency to consider the potential impact of its regulations on small 
entities, including small businesses, small governmental units, and 
small nonprofit organizations. The RFA defines a ``small business'' as 
a business that meets the size standard developed by the Small Business 
Administration pursuant to the Small Business Act.
    The RFA generally requires an agency to conduct an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) and a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis (FRFA) of any rule subject to notice-and-comment 
rulemaking requirements, unless the agency certifies that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The Bureau also is subject to certain additional procedures 
under the RFA involving the convening of a panel to consult with small 
business representatives prior to proposing a rule for which an IRFA is 
required.
    The Bureau believes that the proposed change will not create a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
As described above, the proposed rule would reduce burden in a specific 
set of circumstances that an individual small entity would not 
frequently encounter. Therefore, an IRFA is not required for this 
proposal.
    Accordingly, the undersigned certifies that this proposal, if 
adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. The Bureau requests comment on the analysis 
above and requests any relevant data.

VII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), Federal agencies are generally required to seek the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for information collection 
requirements prior to implementation. The collections of information 
related to Regulations Z and X have been previously reviewed and 
approved by OMB in accordance with the PRA and assigned OMB Control 
Number 3170-0015 (Regulation Z) and 3170-0016 (Regulation X). Under the 
PRA, the Bureau may not conduct or sponsor, and, notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, a person is not required to respond to an 
information collection unless the information collection displays a 
valid control number assigned by OMB.
    The Bureau has determined that this proposed rule does not contain 
any information collection requirements as defined by the PRA. The 
Bureau welcomes comments on this determination, which may be submitted 
to the Bureau at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: 
PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, or by email to 
[email protected].

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1026

    Advertising, Appraisal, Appraiser, Banking, Banks, Consumer 
protection, Credit, Credit unions, Mortgages, National banks, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Truth in lending.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau proposes to amend 
Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, as set forth below:

PART 1026--TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)

0
1. The authority citation for part 1026 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 2601, 2603-2605, 2607, 2609, 2617, 3353, 
5511, 5512, 5532, 5581; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
* * * * *

Subpart C--Closed-End Credit

0
2. Section 1026.19 is amended by revising paragraphs (e)(4)(i) and (ii) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  1026.19  Certain mortgage and variable-rate transactions.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) General rule. Subject to the requirements of paragraph 
(e)(4)(ii) of this section, if a creditor uses a revised estimate 
pursuant to paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section for the purpose of 
determining good faith under paragraphs (e)(3)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, the creditor shall provide a revised version of the 
disclosures required under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section or the 
disclosures required under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section 
(including any corrected disclosures provided under paragraph (f)(2)(i) 
or (ii) of this section) reflecting the revised estimate within three 
business days of receiving information sufficient to establish that one 
of the reasons for revision provided under paragraphs (e)(3)(iv)(A) 
through (F) of this section applies.
    (ii) Relationship between revised Loan Estimates and Closing 
Disclosures. The creditor shall not provide a revised version of the 
disclosures required under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section on or 
after the date on which the creditor provides the disclosures required 
under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section. The consumer must receive 
any revised version of the disclosures required under paragraph 
(e)(1)(i) of this section not later than four business days prior to 
consummation. If the revised version of the disclosures required under 
paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section is not provided to the consumer in 
person, the consumer is considered to have received such version three 
business days after the creditor delivers or places such version in the 
mail.
* * * * *
0
3. In Supplement I to Part 1026--Official Interpretations, under 
Section 1026.19--Certain Mortgage and Variable-Rate Transactions, under 
19(e) Mortgage loans secured by real property--Early disclosures:

[[Page 37803]]

0
a. Under 19(e)(1)(ii) Mortgage broker, paragraph 1 is revised.
0
b. 19(e)(4)(i) General rule is revised.
0
c. 19(e)(4)(ii) Relationship to disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i) is revised.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:

Supplement I to Part 1026--Official Interpretations

* * * * *

Section 1026.19--Certain Mortgage and Variable-Rate Transactions

* * * * *
    19(e) Mortgage loans secured by real property--Early disclosures.
* * * * *
    19(e)(1) Provision of disclosures.
* * * * *
    19(e)(1)(ii) Mortgage broker.
    1. Mortgage broker responsibilities. Section 1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) 
provides that if a mortgage broker receives a consumer's application, 
either the creditor or the mortgage broker must provide the consumer 
with the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) in 
accordance with Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(iii). Section 1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) 
also provides that if the mortgage broker provides the required 
disclosures, it must comply with all relevant requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e). This means that ``mortgage broker'' should be read in the 
place of ``creditor'' for all provisions of Sec.  1026.19(e), except to 
the extent that such a reading would create responsibility for mortgage 
brokers under Sec.  1026.19(f). To illustrate, Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii) 
states that if a creditor uses a revised estimate pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of determining good faith under Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor shall provide a revised version 
of the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) (including any 
corrected disclosures provided under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)) 
reflecting the revised estimate. ``Mortgage broker'' could not be read 
in place of ``creditor'' in reference to the disclosures required under 
Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i), (f)(2)(i), or (f)(2)(ii) because mortgage 
brokers are not responsible for the disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i), (f)(2)(i), or (f)(2)(ii). In addition, Sec.  
1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) provides that the creditor must ensure that 
disclosures provided by mortgage brokers comply with all requirements 
of Sec.  1026.19(e), and that disclosures provided by mortgage brokers 
that do comply with all such requirements satisfy the creditor's 
obligation under Sec.  1026.19(e). The term ``mortgage broker,'' as 
used in Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(ii), has the same meaning as in Sec.  
1026.36(a)(2). See also comment 36(a)-2. Section 1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(B) 
provides that if a mortgage broker provides any disclosure required 
under Sec.  1026.19(e), the mortgage broker must also comply with the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.25(c). For example, if a mortgage broker 
provides the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i), it must 
maintain records for three years, in compliance with Sec.  
1026.25(c)(1)(i).
* * * * *
    19(e)(4) Provision and receipt of revised disclosures.
    19(e)(4)(i) General rule.
    1. Three-business-day requirement. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(i) 
provides that, subject to the requirements of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(ii), 
if a creditor uses a revised estimate pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of determining good faith under Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor shall provide a revised version 
of the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) (including any 
corrected disclosures provided under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)) 
reflecting the revised estimate within three business days of receiving 
information sufficient to establish that one of the reasons for 
revision provided under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A) through (F) has 
occurred. The following examples illustrate these requirements:
    i. Assume a creditor requires a pest inspection. The unaffiliated 
pest inspection company informs the creditor on Monday that the subject 
property contains evidence of termite damage, requiring a further 
inspection, the cost of which will cause an increase in estimated 
settlement charges subject to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(ii) by more than 10 
percent. The creditor must provide revised disclosures by Thursday to 
comply with Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i).
    ii. Assume a creditor receives information on Monday that, because 
of a changed circumstance under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A), the title 
fees will increase by an amount totaling six percent of the originally 
estimated settlement charges subject to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(ii). The 
creditor had received information three weeks before that, because of a 
changed circumstance under Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A), the pest 
inspection fees increased by an amount totaling five percent of the 
originally estimated settlement charges subject to Sec.  
1026.19(e)(3)(ii). Thus, on Monday, the creditor has received 
sufficient information to establish a valid reason for revision and 
must provide revised disclosures reflecting the 11 percent increase by 
Thursday to comply with Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i).
    iii. Assume a creditor requires an appraisal. The creditor receives 
the appraisal report, which indicates that the value of the home is 
significantly lower than expected. However, the creditor has reason to 
doubt the validity of the appraisal report. A reason for revision has 
not been established because the creditor reasonably believes that the 
appraisal report is incorrect. The creditor then chooses to send a 
different appraiser for a second opinion, but the second appraiser 
returns a similar report. At this point, the creditor has received 
information sufficient to establish that a reason for revision has, in 
fact, occurred, and must provide corrected disclosures within three 
business days of receiving the second appraisal report. In this 
example, in order to comply with Sec. Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv) and 
1026.25, the creditor must maintain records documenting the creditor's 
doubts regarding the validity of the appraisal to demonstrate that the 
reason for revision did not occur upon receipt of the first appraisal 
report.
    19(e)(4)(ii) Relationship between revised Loan Estimates and 
Closing Disclosures.
    1. Revised Loan Estimate may not be delivered at the same time as 
the Closing Disclosure. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) prohibits a creditor 
from providing a revised version of the disclosures required under 
Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) on or after the date on which the creditor 
provides the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i). Section 
1026.19(e)(4)(ii) also requires that the consumer must receive any 
revised version of the disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(e)(1)(i) no later than four business days prior to 
consummation, and provides that if the revised version of the 
disclosures are not provided to the consumer in person, the consumer is 
considered to have received the revised version of the disclosures 
three business days after the creditor delivers or places in the mail 
the revised version of the disclosures. See also comments 19(e)(1)(iv)-
1 and -2. However, Sec.  1026.19(e)(4)(i) permits the creditor to 
provide the revised estimate in the disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i) (including any corrected disclosures provided under 
Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)). See below for illustrative examples:

[[Page 37804]]

    i. If the creditor is scheduled to meet with the consumer and 
provide the disclosures required by Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) on 
Wednesday, and the APR becomes inaccurate on Tuesday, the creditor 
complies with the requirements of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4) by providing the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) reflecting the 
revised APR on Wednesday. However, the creditor does not comply with 
the requirements of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4) if it provided both a revised 
version of the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) 
reflecting the revised APR on Wednesday, and also provides the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Wednesday.
    ii. If the creditor is scheduled to email the disclosures required 
under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) to the consumer on Wednesday, and the 
consumer requests a change to the loan that would result in revised 
disclosures pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) on Tuesday, the 
creditor complies with the requirements of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4) by 
providing the disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) 
reflecting the consumer-requested changes on Wednesday. However, the 
creditor does not comply if it provides both the revised version of the 
disclosures required under Sec.  1026.19(e)(1)(i) reflecting consumer 
requested changes, and also the disclosures required under Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Wednesday.
    iii. Consummation is scheduled for Thursday. The creditor hand 
delivers the disclosures required by Sec.  1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Monday, 
and, on Tuesday, the consumer requests a change to the loan that would 
result in a revised disclosure pursuant to Sec.  1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) 
but would not require a new waiting period pursuant to Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(ii). The creditor complies with the requirements of Sec.  
1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the disclosures required by Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(i) reflecting the consumer-requested changes on Thursday.
    iv. Consummation is originally scheduled for Wednesday. The 
creditor hand delivers the disclosures required by Sec.  
1026.19(f)(1)(i) on the Friday before the scheduled consummation date 
and the APR becomes inaccurate on the Monday before the scheduled 
consummation date, such that the creditor is required to delay 
consummation and provide corrected disclosures, including any other 
changed terms, so that the consumer receives them at least three 
business days before consummation under Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(ii). 
Consummation is rescheduled for Friday. The creditor complies with the 
requirements of Sec.  1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the disclosures 
required by Sec.  1026.19(f)(2)(ii) reflecting the revised APR and any 
other changed terms to the consumer on Tuesday. See Sec.  
1026.19(f)(2)(ii) and associated commentary regarding changes before 
consummation requiring a new waiting period. See comment 19(e)(4)(i)-1 
for further guidance on when sufficient information has been received 
to establish an event has occurred.
* * * * *

    Dated: July 6, 2017.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2017-15763 Filed 8-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-AM-P



                                                      37794                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL                            inspection and copying at 1275 First                     1026.19(e)(3)(iii) provides that estimates
                                                      PROTECTION                                              Street NE., Washington, DC 20002, on                     of certain other types of charges are in
                                                                                                              official business days between the hours                 good faith if the estimate is consistent
                                                      12 CFR Part 1026                                        of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You                  with the best information reasonably
                                                      [Docket No. CFPB–2017–0018]                             can make an appointment to inspect the                   available to the creditor at the time it
                                                                                                              documents by telephoning (202) 435–                      was disclosed.4
                                                      RIN 3170–AA61                                           7275.                                                       Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) permits
                                                                                                                All comments, including attachments                    creditors, in certain limited
                                                      Amendments to Federal Mortgage                          and other supporting materials, will                     circumstances, to use revised estimates,
                                                      Disclosure Requirements Under the                       become part of the public record and                     instead of the estimate originally
                                                      Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z)                     subject to public disclosure. Sensitive                  disclosed to the consumer, to compare
                                                      AGENCY:  Bureau of Consumer Financial                   personal information, such as account                    to the charges actually paid by or
                                                      Protection.                                             numbers or Social Security numbers,                      imposed on the consumer for purposes
                                                                                                              should not be included. Comments will                    of determining whether an estimated
                                                      ACTION: Proposed rule with request for
                                                                                                              not be edited to remove any identifying                  closing cost was disclosed in good faith.
                                                      public comment.
                                                                                                              or contact information.                                  Section 1026.19(e)(4) contains rules for
                                                      SUMMARY:    The Bureau of Consumer                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         the provision and receipt of those
                                                      Financial Protection (Bureau) is                        Pedro De Oliveira, Counsel, and David                    revised estimates, including a
                                                      proposing to amend Federal mortgage                     Friend and Priscilla Walton-Fein, Senior                 requirement that any revised estimates
                                                      disclosure requirements under the Real                  Counsels, Office of Regulations,                         used to determine good faith must be
                                                      Estate Settlement Procedures Act and                    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,                    provided to the consumer within three
                                                      the Truth in Lending Act that are                       1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC                        business days of the creditor receiving
                                                      implemented in Regulation Z. The                        20552, at 202–435–7700.                                  information sufficient to establish that
                                                      proposed amendments relate to when a                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                               the reason for revision applies. If the
                                                      creditor may compare charges paid by                                                                             conditions for revising the estimates
                                                                                                              I. Summary of the Proposed Rule                          used to determine good faith are met,
                                                      or imposed on the consumer to amounts
                                                      disclosed on a Closing Disclosure,                         The TILA–RESPA Rule 1 requires                        creditors generally may provide these
                                                      instead of a Loan Estimate, to determine                creditors to provide consumers with                      revised estimates on revised Loan
                                                      if an estimated closing cost was                        good faith estimates of the loan terms                   Estimates or, in certain circumstances,
                                                      disclosed in good faith. Specifically, the              and closing costs required to be                         on Closing Disclosures. The creditor
                                                      proposed amendments would permit                        disclosed on a Loan Estimate. Under the                  cannot provide revised estimates on a
                                                      creditors to do so regardless of when the               rule, an estimated closing cost is                       Loan Estimate on or after the date the
                                                      Closing Disclosure is provided relative                 disclosed in good faith if the charge                    Closing Disclosure is provided to the
                                                      to consummation.                                        paid by or imposed on the consumer                       consumer and the consumer must
                                                                                                              does not exceed the amount originally                    receive any revised Loan Estimate no
                                                      DATES: Comments must be received on
                                                                                                              disclosed, except as otherwise provided                  later than four business days prior to
                                                      or before October 10, 2017.                                                                                      consummation.5 However, if there are
                                                                                                              in § 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) through (iv).2
                                                      ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                     Section 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) provides that,                 less than four business days between the
                                                      identified by Docket No. CFPB–2017–                     for certain types of third-party services                time the revised version of the
                                                      0018 or RIN 3170–AA61, by any of the                    and recording fees, estimates are                        disclosures is required to be provided
                                                      following methods:                                      considered to be disclosed in good faith                 pursuant to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) (i.e.,
                                                         • Email: FederalRegisterComments@                    if the total paid by or imposed on the                   within three business days of the time
                                                      cfpb.gov. Include Docket No. CFPB–                      consumer for those types of charges                      the creditor received information
                                                      2017–0018 or RIN 3170–AA61 in the                       does not exceed the disclosed amount                     sufficient to establish the reason for
                                                      subject line of the email.                              by more than 10 percent.3 Section                        revision) and consummation, the
                                                         • Electronic: http://                                                                                         creditor may provide the revised
                                                      www.regulations.gov. Follow the                            1 In November 2013, pursuant to sections 1098         estimate on a Closing Disclosure.6 This
                                                      instructions for submitting comments.                   and 1100A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform           is referred to herein as the ‘‘four-
                                                         • Mail: Monica Jackson, Office of the                and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), the        business day limit.’’
                                                                                                              Bureau issued the Integrated Mortgage Disclosures
                                                      Executive Secretary, Consumer                           under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act             On July 28, 2016, the Bureau
                                                      Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G                     (Regulation X) and the Truth in Lending Act              proposed amendments to make
                                                      Street NW., Washington, DC 20552.                       (Regulation Z) (2013 TILA–RESPA Final Rule),             additional clarifications and technical
                                                         • Hand Delivery/Courier: Monica                      combining certain disclosures that consumers             amendments to the TILA–RESPA Rule
                                                                                                              receive in connection with applying for and closing
                                                      Jackson, Office of the Executive                        on a mortgage loan into two new forms: A Loan            (2016 Proposal).7 The proposal also
                                                      Secretary, Consumer Financial                           Estimate and Closing Disclosure. 78 FR 79730 (Dec.
                                                      Protection Bureau, 1275 First Street NE.,               31, 2013). The Bureau has since finalized                   4 Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iii) provides that an

                                                      Washington, DC 20002.                                   amendments to the 2013 TILA–RESPA Final Rule,            estimate of the following charges is in good faith if
                                                                                                              including in January 2015 (see 80 FR 8767 (Feb. 19,      it is consistent with the best information reasonably
                                                         Instructions: All submissions should                 2015) (January 2015 Amendments)) and in July             available to the creditor at the time it is disclosed,
                                                      include the agency name and docket                      2015 (see 80 FR 43911 (July 24, 2015) (July 2015         regardless of whether the amount paid by the
                                                      number or Regulatory Information
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                              Amendments)). The 2013 TILA–RESPA Final Rule             consumer exceeds the amount originally disclosed:
                                                      Number (RIN) for this rulemaking.                       and subsequent amendments to that rule are               (1) Prepaid interest; (2) property insurance
                                                                                                              referred to collectively herein as the TILA–RESPA        premiums; (3) amounts placed into an escrow,
                                                      Because paper mail in the Washington,                   Rule.                                                    impound, reserve, or similar account; (4) charges
                                                      DC area and at the Bureau is subject to                    2 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(3)(i).                            paid to third-party service providers selected by the
                                                      delay, commenters are encouraged to                        3 This section also requires that, for the 10         consumer consistent with § 1026.19(e)(1)(vi)(A) that
                                                      submit comments electronically. In                      percent tolerance to apply, the charge for the third-    are not on the list provided pursuant to
                                                                                                              party service must not be paid to the creditor or an     § 1026.19(e)(1)(vi)(C); and (5) charges paid for third-
                                                      general, all comments received will be                                                                           party services not required by the creditor.
                                                                                                              affiliate of the creditor and the creditor must permit
                                                      posted without change to http://                        the consumer to shop for the third-party service,
                                                                                                                                                                          5 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(4)(ii).

                                                      www.regulations.gov. In addition,                       consistent with § 1026.19(e)(1)(vi). See 12 CFR             6 Id. at comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1.

                                                      comments will be available for public                   1026.19(e)(3)(ii)(B)–(C).                                   7 81 FR 54317 (Aug. 15, 2016).




                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:38 Aug 10, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4701   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\11AUP2.SGM     11AUP2


                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                  37795

                                                      contained several limited substantive                   understood it as a narrower change than                105(a) 12 directs the Bureau to prescribe
                                                      changes that the Bureau identified as                   the broader question posed here. As                    regulations to carry out the purposes of
                                                      potential solutions to specific                         described below, under the current                     TILA and provides that such regulations
                                                      implementation challenges. Among the                    proposal, creditors could use either                   may contain additional requirements,
                                                      clarifying changes in the 2016 Proposal                 initial or corrected Closing Disclosures               classifications, differentiations, or other
                                                      was the proposed addition of comment                    to reflect changes in costs for purposes               provisions and may further provide for
                                                      19(e)(4)(ii)–2. When issuing the 2016                   of determining if an estimated closing                 such adjustments and exceptions for all
                                                      Proposal, the Bureau believed that                      cost was disclosed in good faith,                      or any class of transactions that the
                                                      stakeholders generally understood that,                 regardless of when the Closing                         Bureau judges are necessary or proper to
                                                      if certain conditions are met, creditors                Disclosure is provided relative to                     effectuate the purposes of TILA, to
                                                      may use an initial Closing Disclosure to                consummation.                                          prevent circumvention or evasion
                                                      reflect changes in costs that will be used                                                                     thereof, or to facilitate compliance
                                                      to determine if an estimated closing cost               II. Legal Authority                                    therewith. A purpose of TILA is to
                                                      was disclosed in good faith. Proposed                      The Bureau is issuing this proposal                 assure a meaningful disclosure of credit
                                                      comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 was intended to                  pursuant to its authority under TILA,                  terms so that the consumer will be able
                                                      clarify that, if the conditions for issuing             RESPA, and the Dodd-Frank Act,                         to compare more readily the various
                                                      a revised estimate are met, creditors                   including the authorities discussed                    available credit terms and avoid the
                                                      may similarly use corrected Closing                     below. In general, the provisions of                   uninformed use of credit.13 In enacting
                                                      Disclosures under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or                 Regulation Z that this proposal would                  TILA, Congress found that economic
                                                      (ii) to reflect changes in costs that will              amend were previously adopted by the                   stabilization would be enhanced and the
                                                      be used to determine if an estimated                    Bureau in the TILA–RESPA Rule, in                      competition among the various financial
                                                      closing cost was disclosed in good faith.               reliance on one or more of the                         institutions and other firms engaged in
                                                         Despite the Bureau’s limited intent                  authorities discussed below. The Bureau                the extension of consumer credit would
                                                      regarding proposed comment                              is issuing this proposal in reliance on                be strengthened by the informed use of
                                                      19(e)(4)(ii)–2, numerous commenters                     the same authority and for the same                    credit.14 Strengthened competition
                                                      interpreted it as change that would                     reasons relied on in adopting the                      among financial institutions is a goal of
                                                      broaden creditors’ ability to compare                   relevant provisions of the TILA–RESPA                  TILA, achieved through the meaningful
                                                      charges paid by or imposed on the                       Rule, which are described in detail in                 disclosure of credit terms.15 For the
                                                      consumer to amounts disclosed on a                      the Legal Authority and Section-by-                    reasons discussed below, the Bureau
                                                      Closing Disclosure to determine if an                   Section Analysis parts of the 2013                     proposes these amendments pursuant to
                                                      estimated closing cost was disclosed in                 TILA–RESPA Final Rule and January                      its authority under TILA section 105(a).
                                                      good faith. Although commenters were                    2015 Amendments, respectively.8                        The Bureau believes the proposed
                                                      not uniform in their interpretations of                                                                        amendments effectuate the purpose of
                                                      proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2, many                   A. The Integrated Disclosure Mandate
                                                                                                                                                                     TILA under TILA section 102(a) of
                                                      interpreted it as allowing creditors to                    Section 1032(f) of the Dodd-Frank Act               meaningful disclosure of credit terms to
                                                      use corrected Closing Disclosures to                    required the Bureau to propose, for                    consumers and facilitate compliance
                                                      reflect changes in costs that will be used              public comment, rules and model                        with the statute by clarifying when
                                                      to determine if an estimated closing cost               disclosures combining the disclosures                  particular disclosures may be provided.
                                                      was disclosed in good faith, irrespective               required under TILA and sections 4 and                 The proposal would also further TILA’s
                                                      of when the corrected Closing                           5 of RESPA into a single, integrated                   goals by ensuring more reliable
                                                      Disclosure was provided relative to the                 disclosure for mortgage loan                           estimates, which would foster
                                                      timing of consummation. These                           transactions covered by those laws,                    competition among financial
                                                      commenters generally interpreted the                    unless the Bureau determined that any                  institutions. The proposal would also
                                                      proposal as retaining the four-business                 proposal issued by the Federal Reserve                 prevent circumvention or evasion of
                                                      day limit for using initial Closing                     Board (Board) and the Department of                    TILA.
                                                      Disclosures to reflect changes in costs                 Housing and Urban Development (HUD)                       TILA section 129B(e). Dodd-Frank Act
                                                      for purposes of determining if an                       carried out the same purpose.9 In                      section 1405(a) amended TILA to add
                                                      estimated closing cost was disclosed in                 addition, the Dodd-Frank Act amended                   new section 129B(e).16 That section
                                                      good faith. Commenters who interpreted                  section 105(b) of TILA and section 4(a)                authorizes the Bureau to prohibit or
                                                      the proposal to effectuate this                         of RESPA to require the integration of                 condition terms, acts, or practices
                                                      substantive change were broadly                         the TILA disclosures and the                           relating to residential mortgage loans
                                                      supportive of it.                                       disclosures required by sections 4 and 5               that the Bureau finds to be abusive,
                                                         Concurrent with issuing this proposal,               of RESPA.10 The Bureau provided                        unfair, deceptive, predatory, necessary,
                                                      the Bureau is issuing a final rule                      additional discussion of this integrated               or proper to ensure that responsible,
                                                      amending the TILA–RESPA Rule. The                       disclosure mandate in the 2013 TILA–
                                                      Bureau is not, however, finalizing                      RESPA Final Rule.11                                      12 15    U.S.C. 1604(a).
                                                      comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 as it appeared in                                                                         13 Id.   at 1601(a).
                                                      the 2016 Proposal and discussed above.                  B. Truth in Lending Act                                  14 Id.
                                                      Instead, the Bureau is issuing this                       TILA section 105(a). As amended by                      15 The Bureau provided additional discussion of

                                                      proposal, as the Bureau now believes
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                                                                                                              the Dodd-Frank Act, TILA section                       the history of TILA section 105(a) and its
                                                      that it is appropriate to pose explicitly                                                                      interaction with the provisions of TILA section 129
                                                                                                                                                                     that apply to high-cost mortgages in the 2013 TILA–
                                                      the question of whether to remove the                     8 78 FR 79730, 79753–56, 79834–37 (Dec. 31,
                                                                                                                                                                     RESPA Final Rule. As the Bureau explained, the
                                                      current four-business day limit for                     2013); 80 FR 8767, 8768–70 (Feb. 19, 2015).            Bureau’s authority under TILA section 105(a) to
                                                      resetting tolerances with both initial and                9 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2007 (2010)
                                                                                                                                                                     make adjustments and exceptions applies to all
                                                      corrected Closing Disclosures. The                      (codified at 12 U.S.C. 5532(f)).                       transactions subject to TILA, including high-cost
                                                                                                                10 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2108          mortgages, except with respect to the provisions of
                                                      Bureau recognizes that some
                                                                                                              (2010) (codified at 15 U.S.C. 1604(b)); Public Law     TILA section 129 that apply uniquely to such high-
                                                      stakeholders may not have commented                     111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2103 (2010) (codified at 12   cost mortgages. 78 FR 79730, 79754 (Dec. 31, 2013).
                                                      on proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 in                   U.S.C. 2603(a)).                                          16 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2141

                                                      the 2016 Proposal because they                            11 78 FR 79730, 79753–54 (Dec. 31, 2013).            (2010) (codified at 15 U.S.C. 1639B(e)).



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                                                      37796                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      affordable mortgage credit remains                      and effectively disclosed to consumers                mortgage loans through the use of
                                                      available to consumers in a manner                      in a manner that permits consumers to                 disclosures, the Bureau may exempt
                                                      consistent with the purposes of sections                understand the costs, benefits, and risks             from or modify disclosure requirements,
                                                      129B and 129C of TILA, to prevent                       associated with the product or service,               in whole or in part, for any class of
                                                      circumvention or evasion thereof, or to                 in light of the facts and circumstances.20            residential mortgage loans if the Bureau
                                                      facilitate compliance with such                         The authority granted to the Bureau in                determines that such exemption or
                                                      sections, or are not in the interest of the             section 1032(a) is broad and empowers                 modification is in the interest of
                                                      borrower. In developing rules under                     the Bureau to prescribe rules regarding               consumers and in the public interest.23
                                                      TILA section 129B(e), the Bureau has                    the disclosure of the features of                     Section 1401 of the Dodd-Frank Act,
                                                      considered whether the rules are in the                 consumer financial products and                       which amends TILA section 103(cc)(5),
                                                      interest of the borrower, as required by                services generally. Accordingly, the                  generally defines a residential mortgage
                                                      the statute. The Bureau is issuing this                 Bureau may prescribe rules containing                 loan as any consumer credit transaction
                                                      proposal pursuant to its authority under                disclosure requirements even if other                 that is secured by a mortgage on a
                                                      TILA section 129B(e). The Bureau                        Federal consumer financial laws do not                dwelling or on residential real property
                                                      believes the proposal is consistent with                specifically require disclosure of such               that includes a dwelling, other than an
                                                      TILA section 129B(e).                                   features. Dodd-Frank Act section                      open-end credit plan or an extension of
                                                      C. Real Estate Settlement Procedures                    1032(c) provides that, in prescribing                 credit secured by a consumer’s interest
                                                      Act Section 19(a)                                       rules pursuant to section 1032, the                   in a timeshare plan.24 Notably, the
                                                                                                              Bureau shall consider available                       authority granted by section 1405(b)
                                                         Section 19(a) of RESPA authorizes the                evidence about consumer awareness,                    applies to disclosure requirements
                                                      Bureau to prescribe such rules and                      understanding of, and responses to                    generally and is not limited to a specific
                                                      regulations and to make such                            disclosures or communications about                   statute or statutes. Accordingly, Dodd-
                                                      interpretations and grant such                          the risks, costs, and benefits of                     Frank Act section 1405(b) is a broad
                                                      reasonable exemptions for classes of                    consumer financial products or                        source of authority to exempt from or
                                                      transactions as may be necessary to                     services.21 Accordingly, in developing                modify the disclosure requirements of
                                                      achieve the purposes of RESPA.17 One                    the TILA–RESPA Rule under Dodd-                       TILA and RESPA. In developing rules
                                                      purpose of RESPA is to effect certain                   Frank Act section 1032(a), the Bureau                 for residential mortgage loans under
                                                      changes in the settlement process for                   considered available studies, reports,                Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(b), the
                                                      residential real estate that will result in             and other evidence about consumer                     Bureau has considered the purposes of
                                                      more effective advance disclosure to                    awareness, understanding of, and                      improving consumer awareness and
                                                      home buyers and sellers of settlement                   responses to disclosures or                           understanding of transactions involving
                                                      costs.18 In addition, in enacting RESPA,                communications about the risks, costs,                residential mortgage loans through the
                                                      Congress found that consumers are                       and benefits of consumer financial                    use of disclosures and the interests of
                                                      entitled to greater and more timely                     products or services. Moreover, the                   consumers and the public. The Bureau
                                                      information on the nature and costs of                  Bureau has considered the evidence                    proposes these amendments pursuant to
                                                      the settlement process and to be                        developed through its consumer testing                its authority under Dodd-Frank Act
                                                      protected from unnecessarily high
                                                                                                              of the integrated disclosures as well as              section 1405(b). For the reasons
                                                      settlement charges caused by certain
                                                                                                              prior testing done by the Board and                   discussed below, the Bureau believes
                                                      abusive practices in some areas of the
                                                                                                              HUD regarding TILA and RESPA                          the proposal is in the interest of
                                                      country.19
                                                         In developing rules under RESPA                      disclosures. See part III of the 2013                 consumers and in the public interest,
                                                      section 19(a), the Bureau has considered                TILA–RESPA Final Rule for a                           consistent with Dodd-Frank Act section
                                                      the purposes of RESPA, including to                     discussion of the Bureau’s consumer                   1405(b).
                                                      effect certain changes in the settlement                testing.22 The Bureau proposes these
                                                                                                                                                                    III. Proposed Implementation Period
                                                      process that will result in more effective              amendments pursuant to its authority
                                                                                                              under Dodd-Frank Act section 1032(a).                    The Bureau seeks comment on when
                                                      advance disclosure of settlement costs.                                                                       the changes proposed should be
                                                      The Bureau proposes these amendments                    For the reasons discussed below, the
                                                                                                              Bureau believes that the proposal is                  effective. The Bureau believes that these
                                                      pursuant to its authority under RESPA
                                                                                                              consistent with Dodd-Frank Act section                changes should enable industry to
                                                      section 19(a). For the reasons discussed
                                                                                                              1032(a) by promoting full, accurate, and              comply with the TILA–RESPA Rule
                                                      below, the Bureau believes the proposal
                                                                                                              effective disclosure of the features of               more cost-effectively and that industry
                                                      is consistent with those purposes by
                                                                                                              consumer credit transactions secured by               should be able to implement these
                                                      fostering more effective advance
                                                                                                              real property in a manner that permits                changes relatively quickly. At the same
                                                      disclosure to home buyers and sellers of
                                                                                                              consumers to understand the costs,                    time, the Bureau recognizes that the
                                                      settlement costs.
                                                                                                              benefits, and risks associated with the               proposed changes could involve
                                                      D. Dodd-Frank Act                                       product or service, in light of the facts             changes to systems or procedures. The
                                                         Dodd-Frank Act section 1032. Section                 and circumstances.                                    Bureau specifically requests that
                                                      1032(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides                     Dodd-Frank Act section 1405(b).                    technology vendors, creditors, mortgage
                                                      that the Bureau may prescribe rules to                  Section 1405(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act                 brokers, settlement agents, and other
                                                      ensure that the features of any consumer                provides that, notwithstanding any                    entities affected by the proposal provide
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                                                      financial product or service, both                      other provision of title XIV of the Dodd-             details on any updates to software and
                                                      initially and over the term of the                      Frank Act, in order to improve                        systems and other measures that would
                                                      product or service, are fully, accurately,              consumer awareness and understanding                  be necessary to implement the proposed
                                                                                                              of transactions involving residential                 changes. The Bureau further seeks
                                                        17 12  U.S.C. 2617(a).                                                                                      comment on whether there is a
                                                        18 Id.                                                  20 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2006–07
                                                               at 2601(b).
                                                        19 Id. at 2601(a). In the past, RESPA section 19(a)   (2010) (codified at 12 U.S.C. 5532(a)).                 23 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2142
                                                                                                                21 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2007         (2010) (codified at 15 U.S.C. 1601 note).
                                                      has served as a broad source of authority to
                                                      prescribe disclosures and substantive requirements      (2010) (codified at 12 U.S.C. 5532(c)).                 24 Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376, 2138

                                                      to carry out the purposes of RESPA.                       22 78 FR 79730, 79743–50 (Dec. 31, 2013).           (2010) (codified at 15 U.S.C. 1602(cc)(5)).



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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                             37797

                                                      particular day of the week, time of                         exceeds the disclosed estimate. The                    receiving information sufficient to
                                                      month, or time of year that would most                      allowed variance between estimated                     establish that a permissible reason for
                                                      facilitate implementation of the                            closing costs and the actual amounts                   revision applies. Section
                                                      proposed changes.                                           paid by or imposed on the consumer are                 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) imposes timing
                                                        The Bureau proposes an effective date                     referred to as ‘‘tolerances.’’                         restrictions on the provision of revised
                                                      30 days after publication in the Federal                       Section 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) permits                   Loan Estimates. Specifically,
                                                      Register of any final rule based on this                    creditors, in certain limited                          § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) states that the creditor
                                                      proposal and seeks comment on the                           circumstances, to use revised estimates                shall not provide a revised Loan
                                                      same.                                                       of charges, instead of the estimate of                 Estimate on or after the date on which
                                                                                                                  charges originally disclosed to the                    the creditor provides the Closing
                                                      IV. Section-by-Section Analysis
                                                                                                                  consumer, to compare to the charges                    Disclosure. Section 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) also
                                                      Section 1026.19 Certain Mortgage and                        actually paid by or imposed on the                     provides that the consumer must receive
                                                      Variable-Rate Transactions                                  consumer for purposes of determining                   any revised Loan Estimate not later than
                                                                                                                  whether an estimated closing cost was                  four business days prior to
                                                      19(e) Mortgage Loans Secured By Real
                                                                                                                  disclosed in good faith pursuant to                    consummation.
                                                      Property—Early Disclosures
                                                                                                                  § 1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii) (i.e., whether               Regulation Z therefore limits
                                                      19(e)(4) Provision and Receipt of                           the actual charge exceeds the allowed                  creditors’ ability to provide revised
                                                      Revised Disclosures                                         tolerance). This is referred to as                     Loan Estimates relative to the provision
                                                        The 2013 TILA–RESPA Final Rule                            resetting tolerances. The circumstances                of the Closing Disclosure and to
                                                      combined certain disclosures that                           under which creditors may reset                        consummation. In issuing the 2013
                                                      consumers receive in connection with                        tolerances are: (1) A defined set of                   TILA–RESPA Final Rule, the Bureau
                                                      applying for and closing on a mortgage                      changed circumstances that cause                       explained that it was aware of cases
                                                      loan into two new, integrated forms.                        estimated charges to increase or, in the               where creditors provided revised
                                                      The first new form, the Loan Estimate,                      case of certain estimated charges, cause               RESPA Good Faith Estimates at the real
                                                      replaced the RESPA Good Faith                               the aggregate amount of such charges to                estate closing, along with the HUD–1
                                                      Estimate and the early Truth in Lending                     increase by more than 10 percent,27 (2)                settlement statement.28 The Bureau was
                                                      disclosure. The rule requires creditors to                  the consumer is ineligible for an                      concerned that the practice of providing
                                                      deliver or place in the mail the Loan                       estimated charge previously disclosed                  both good faith estimates of closing
                                                      Estimate no later than three business                       because of a changed circumstance that                 costs and an actual statement of closing
                                                      days after the consumer submits a loan                      affects the consumer’s creditworthiness                costs at the same time could be
                                                      application.25 The second form, the                         or the value of the property securing the              confusing for consumers and diminish
                                                      Closing Disclosure, replaced the HUD–                       transaction, (3) the consumer requests                 their awareness and understanding of
                                                      1 Settlement Statement and the final                        revisions to the credit terms or the                   the transaction. The Bureau was also
                                                      Truth in Lending disclosure. The rule                       settlement that cause an estimated                     concerned about consumers receiving
                                                      requires creditors to ensure that                           charge to increase, (4) points or lender
                                                                                                                                                                         seemingly duplicative disclosures that
                                                      consumers receive the Closing                               credits change because the interest rate
                                                                                                                                                                         could contribute to information
                                                      Disclosure at least three business days                     was not locked when the Loan Estimate
                                                                                                                                                                         overload. For this reason, the Bureau
                                                      before consummation.26                                      was provided, (5) the consumer
                                                                                                                                                                         adopted the provision of
                                                        Section 1026.19(e)(1)(i) requires                         indicated an intent to proceed with the
                                                                                                                                                                         § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) that prohibits
                                                      creditors to provide consumers with                         transaction more than 10 business days
                                                                                                                                                                         creditors from providing revised Loan
                                                      good faith estimates of the disclosures                     after the Loan Estimate was provided to
                                                                                                                                                                         Estimates on or after the date the
                                                      required in § 1026.37, which describes                      the consumer, and (6) the loan is a
                                                                                                                                                                         creditor provides the Closing
                                                      the loan terms and closing costs                            construction loan that is not expected to
                                                                                                                                                                         Disclosure. The Bureau adopted the
                                                      required to be disclosed on the Loan                        close until more than 60 days after the
                                                                                                                  Loan Estimate has been provided to the                 provision of § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) that
                                                      Estimate. Under § 1026.19(e)(3)(i), an                                                                             requires that consumers receive the
                                                      estimated closing cost is disclosed in                      consumer and the creditor clearly and
                                                                                                                  conspicuously states that a revised                    revised Loan Estimate not later than
                                                      good faith if the charge paid by or                                                                                four business days prior to
                                                      imposed on the consumer does not                            disclosure may be issued.
                                                                                                                     Section 1026.19(e)(4) contains rules                consummation to ensure that consumers
                                                      exceed the amount originally disclosed,
                                                                                                                  for the provision and receipt of revised               did not receive a revised Loan Estimate
                                                      except as otherwise provided in
                                                                                                                  estimates used to reset tolerances.                    on the same date as the Closing
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) through (iv). Section
                                                                                                                  Section 1026.19(e)(4)(i) provides the                  Disclosure in cases where the Loan
                                                      1026.19(e)(3)(ii) further provides that
                                                                                                                  general rule that, subject to the                      Estimate is not provided to the
                                                      estimates for certain third-party services
                                                                                                                  requirements of § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii), if a              consumer in person.
                                                      and recording fees are in good faith if
                                                      the sum of all such charges paid by or                      creditor uses a revised estimate to                      Comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1 clarifies when
                                                      imposed on the consumer does not                            determine good faith (i.e., to reset                   creditors may reset tolerances with a
                                                      exceed the sum of all such charges                          tolerances), the creditor shall provide a              Closing Disclosure instead of with a
                                                      disclosed on the Loan Estimate by more                      Loan Estimate reflecting the revised                   revised Loan Estimate. Specifically, the
                                                      than 10 percent. Section                                    estimate within three business days of                 comment explains that if there are less
                                                                                                                                                                         than four business days between the
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                                                      1026.19(e)(3)(iii) provides that certain
                                                      other estimates are in good faith so long                      27 ‘‘Changed circumstance’’ is defined to mean:     time the revised version of the
                                                      as they are consistent with the best                        (1) An extraordinary event beyond the control of       disclosures is required to be provided
                                                                                                                  any interested party or other unexpected event         pursuant to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) (i.e.,
                                                      information reasonably available to the                     specific to the consumer or transaction; (2)
                                                      creditor at the time they are disclosed,                    information specific to the consumer or transaction    within three business days of receiving
                                                      regardless of whether and by how much                       that the creditor relied upon when providing the       information sufficient to establish a
                                                      the amount paid by the consumer                             Loan Estimate and that was inaccurate or changed       reason for revision) and consummation,
                                                                                                                  after the disclosures were provided; or (3) new        creditors can reflect revised disclosures
                                                                                                                  information specific to the consumer or transaction
                                                        25 12    CFR 1026.19(e)(1)(iii).                          that the creditor did not rely on when providing the
                                                        26 Id.   at § 1026.19(f)(1)(ii).                          original Loan Estimate. 12 CFR 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A).    28 78   FR at 79836.



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                                                      37798                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      to reset tolerances on the Closing                      creditor provides the corrected Closing               the disclosures is required to be
                                                      Disclosure.                                             Disclosure within three business days of              provided pursuant to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i)
                                                        The Bureau originally proposed                        receiving information sufficient to                   and consummation. But there is no
                                                      commentary in 2012 that would have                      establish a reason for revision applies               similar provision that explicitly
                                                      stated that creditors may reflect the                   pursuant to § 1029.19(e)(4)(i).                       provides that creditors may use a
                                                      revised disclosures on the Closing                      Specifically, under this interpretation,              Closing Disclosure to reflect the revised
                                                      Disclosure, without regard to the timing                creditors could provide initial Closing               disclosures if there are four or more
                                                      of consummation.29 However, the 2013                    Disclosures to reset tolerances only if               days between the time the revised
                                                      TILA–RESPA Final Rule contained the                     there are less than four business days                version of the disclosures is required to
                                                      four-business day limit. The Bureau                     between the time the revised version of               be provided pursuant to
                                                      understands from outreach through its                   the disclosures is required to be                     § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.
                                                      implementation process, and through                     provided pursuant to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i)               Commenters stated that this can lead to
                                                      comments received in response to the                    and consummation. But this                            circumstances where creditors are
                                                      2016 Proposal, that there is significant                interpretation would remove the four-                 unable to provide either a revised Loan
                                                      confusion in the market about the                       business day limit for corrected Closing              Estimate (because the Closing
                                                      timing requirements related to issuing                  Disclosures provided pursuant to                      Disclosure has been provided) or a
                                                      revised disclosures for purposes of                     § 1026.19(f)(2) and therefore allow                   corrected Closing Disclosure (because
                                                      resetting tolerances and, in particular,                creditors to provide corrected Closing                there are four or more days prior to
                                                      the use of Closing Disclosures for this                 Disclosures to reset tolerances                       consummation) to reset tolerances.
                                                      purpose.                                                regardless of when consummation is                    Commenters referred to this situation as
                                                      The 2016 Proposal                                       expected to occur. Commenters were                    a ‘‘gap’’ or ‘‘black hole’’ in the rules.
                                                                                                              not uniform in their interpretation of the               Many commenters perceived the
                                                        In the 2016 Proposal, the Bureau                      proposal.                                             proposal as resolving this issue because
                                                      proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 to                         Commenters who interpreted the                     they interpreted it as allowing creditors
                                                      clarify one implementation issue related                proposal as removing the four-business                to use corrected Closing Disclosures to
                                                      to the use of Closing Disclosures to reset              day limit as it applies to corrected                  reset tolerances even if there are four or
                                                      tolerances. Specifically, the proposed                  Closing Disclosures were generally                    more business days between the time
                                                      comment was intended to clarify that                    supportive, citing uncertainty about the              the revised version of the disclosures is
                                                      creditors may use corrected Closing                     proper interpretation of current rules                required to be provided pursuant to
                                                      Disclosures provided under                              and stating that current timing rules                 § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii) (in addition to              regarding resetting tolerances with a                 Some commenters who interpreted the
                                                      the initial Closing Disclosure) to reflect              Closing Disclosure are unworkable. In                 proposal in this way supported that
                                                      changes in costs that will be used to                   particular, some of these commenters                  perceived change, but also cautioned
                                                      reset tolerances.30 As noted above,                     described a situation that could occur if             about unintended consequences. For
                                                      existing comment 19(e)(4)(ii)-1 clarifies               the creditor has already provided the                 example, some commenters stated that
                                                      that creditors may reflect revised                      Closing Disclosure and an event occurs                eliminating the four-business day limit
                                                      estimates on the Closing Disclosure to                  or a consumer requests a change that                  for corrected Closing Disclosures might
                                                      reset tolerances if there are less than                 causes an increase in closing costs that              remove a disincentive that currently
                                                      four business days between the time the                 would be a reason for revision under                  exists under the rule from providing the
                                                      revised version of the disclosures is                   § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv). In some                          initial Closing Disclosure extremely
                                                      required to be provided pursuant to                     circumstances, the creditor may be                    early in the mortgage origination
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.                    unable to provide a corrected Closing                 process, which these commenters stated
                                                      Although comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1                         Disclosure to reset tolerances because                would not be consistent with the
                                                      expressly references only the Closing                   there are four or more days between the               Bureau’s intent that the Closing
                                                      Disclosure required by § 1026.19(f)(1)(i),              time the revised disclosures would be                 Disclosure be a statement of actual
                                                      the Bureau has provided informal                        required to be provided pursuant to                   costs.
                                                      guidance that the provision also applies                § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.
                                                      to corrected Closing Disclosures                                                                              The Current Proposal
                                                                                                              Commenters seemed to identify this as
                                                      provided pursuant to § 1026.19(f)(2)(i)                 most likely to occur where there was                     The Bureau understands from
                                                      or (ii). The Bureau proposed comment                    also a delay in the scheduled                         comments received in response to the
                                                      19(e)(4)(ii)–2 to clarify this point.                   consummation date after the initial                   2016 Proposal and from outreach that
                                                        A summary of the comments received                    Closing Disclosure is provided to the                 current timing rules regarding resetting
                                                      on proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 can                  consumer.                                             tolerances with Closing Disclosures
                                                      be found in the final rule associated                      The Bureau understands that this                   have led to uncertainty in the market
                                                      with the 2016 Proposal issued                           situation can occur because of the                    and created implementation challenges
                                                      concurrently with this proposal. As                     intersection of current timing rules                  that could have unintended
                                                      explained in that comment summary,                      regarding the provision of revised                    consequences for both consumers and
                                                      many commenters interpreted proposed                    estimates to reset tolerances. Section                creditors. For this reason, the Bureau is
                                                      comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–2 as allowing                      1026.19(e)(4)(ii) prohibits creditors from            issuing this proposal to amend
                                                      creditors to use corrected Closing                      providing Loan Estimates on or after the              § 1026.19(e)(4) and associated
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                                                      Disclosures to reset tolerances                         date on which the creditor provides the               commentary to remove the four-
                                                      regardless of when consummation is                      Closing Disclosure. In many cases, this               business day limit for providing Closing
                                                      expected to occur, as long as the                       limitation would not create issues for                Disclosures for purposes of resetting
                                                                                                              creditors because current comment                     tolerances and determining if an
                                                        29 See proposed comment 19(e)(4)–2 at 77 FR
                                                                                                              19(e)(4)(ii)–1 explains that creditors                estimated closing cost was disclosed in
                                                      51116, 51426 (Aug. 23, 2012) (‘‘Creditors comply        may reflect revised estimates on a                    good faith. Consistent with current
                                                      with the requirements of § 1026.19(e)(4) if the
                                                      revised disclosures are reflected in the disclosures    Closing Disclosure to reset tolerances if             comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1, the proposal
                                                      required by § 1026.19(f)(1)(i).’’).                     there are less than four business days                would allow creditors to reset tolerances
                                                        30 See 81 FR 54317, 54334 (Aug. 15, 2016).            between the time the revised version of               by providing a Closing Disclosure


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                            37799

                                                      (including any corrected disclosures                    providing the consumer a Closing                          At the same time, the Bureau
                                                      provided under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii))              Disclosure.                                            proposes to amend current comment
                                                      within three business days of receiving                    The Bureau is therefore proposing to                19(e)(4)(ii)–1 to remove the reference to
                                                      information sufficient to establish that a              allow creditors to reset tolerances using              the current four-business day limit, for
                                                      reason for revision applies. Unlike                     a Closing Disclosure, without regard to                consistency with the proposed
                                                      current comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1,                         the current four-business day limit.                   amendments to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i). The
                                                      however, the proposal would not                         Under the proposal, there would be no                  comment would also be amended to
                                                      restrict the creditor’s ability to reset                four-business day limit for resetting                  provide two additional examples, to
                                                      tolerances with a Closing Disclosure                    tolerances with initial Closing                        further clarify how creditors may
                                                      (either with the initial Closing                        Disclosures nor for any corrected                      provide revised estimates on Closing
                                                      Disclosure or any corrected Closing                     Closing Disclosures provided pursuant                  Disclosures in lieu of Loan Estimates for
                                                      Disclosures provided pursuant to                        to § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii). Under the               purposes of determining good faith. Like
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)) to the period of            proposal, as under the current rule, to                the current comment, proposed
                                                      less than four business days between the                reset tolerances with a Closing                        comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1 would explain
                                                      time the revised version of the                         Disclosure, creditors would be required                that § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) prohibits a
                                                      disclosures is required to be provided                  to provide the Closing Disclosure to the               creditor from providing a revised
                                                                                                              consumer within three business days of                 version of the disclosures required
                                                      pursuant to § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and
                                                                                                              receiving information sufficient to                    under § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) on or after the
                                                      consummation.
                                                                                                              establish a reason for revision. Further,              date on which the creditor provides the
                                                         The Bureau believes that in most                     as under the current rule, creditors                   disclosures required under
                                                      cases in which a creditor learns about                  would be allowed to reset tolerances                   § 1026.19(f)(1)(i). And, like the current
                                                      cost increases that are a permissible                   only under the limited circumstances                   comment, proposed comment
                                                      reason to reset tolerances the creditor                 described in § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv).                      19(e)(4)(ii)–1 would further explain that
                                                      will not have already provided a Closing                   The Bureau believes it may be                       § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) also requires that the
                                                      Disclosure to the consumer. To the                      appropriate to remove the four-business                consumer must receive any revised
                                                      extent any increases in closing costs                   day limit for resetting tolerances with                version of the disclosures required
                                                      occur, the Bureau expects that creditors                both initial and corrected Closing                     under § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) no later than
                                                      will typically provide a revised Loan                   Disclosures. First, the Bureau is                      four business days prior to
                                                      Estimate (and not a Closing Disclosure)                 concerned that applying the four-                      consummation, and provides that if the
                                                      for the purpose of resetting tolerances                 business day limit to initial Closing                  revised version of the disclosures are
                                                      and that these Loan Estimates will be                   Disclosures but not corrected Closing                  not provided to the consumer in person,
                                                      used in determining good faith under                    Disclosures could incentivize creditors                the consumer is considered to have
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii). At the same                to provide consumers with initial                      received them three business days after
                                                      time, the Bureau understands that                       Closing Disclosures very early in the                  the creditor delivers or places them in
                                                      events that can affect closing costs may                lending process, which in some                         the mail. Unlike the current comment,
                                                      occur close to the time of                              circumstances might be inconsistent                    proposed comment 19(e)(4)(ii)–1 would
                                                      consummation, even after the initial                    with the description of the Closing                    then provide that § 1026.19(e)(4)(i)
                                                      Closing Disclosure has been provided to                 Disclosure as a ‘‘statement of the final               permits the creditor to provide the
                                                      the consumer. The Bureau also                           loan terms and closing costs,’’ 31 and the             revised estimate in the disclosures
                                                      understands that events may result in                                                                          required under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i)
                                                                                                              requirement under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) that
                                                      consummation being delayed past the                                                                            (including any corrected disclosures
                                                                                                              the disclosures on the Closing
                                                      time that was expected when the                                                                                provided under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)).
                                                                                                              Disclosure are to be a statement of ‘‘the
                                                      creditor provided the Closing Disclosure                                                                       The proposed comment would also add
                                                                                                              actual terms of the transaction.’’ Second,
                                                      to the consumer. Some events can both                                                                          the following illustrative examples:
                                                                                                              the Bureau believes that applying the                     • The proposed example in comment
                                                      affect closing costs and lead to a delay                four-business day limit to initial Closing             19(e)(4)(ii)–1.iii would assume that
                                                      in consummation. These events may be                    Disclosures but not corrected Closing                  consummation is scheduled for
                                                      outside the control of the creditor or, in              Disclosures could create operational                   Thursday. The proposed example would
                                                      some cases, requested by the consumer.                  challenges and burden for creditors.                   provide that the creditor hand delivers
                                                      Possible examples include weather                          Accordingly, the Bureau is proposing                the disclosures required by
                                                      related events that delay closing and                   to amend § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) to provide                 § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Monday and, on
                                                      lead to additional appraisal or                         that, subject to the requirements of                   Tuesday, the consumer requests a
                                                      inspection costs or illness by a buyer or               § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii), if a creditor uses a              change to the loan that would result in
                                                      seller that could delay closing and lead                revised estimate pursuant to                           a revised disclosure pursuant to
                                                      to the imposition of additional costs,                  § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of                 § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) but would not
                                                      such as a rate lock extension fee. The                  determining good faith under                           require a new waiting period pursuant
                                                      Bureau understands that if creditors                    § 1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor              to § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii). The proposed
                                                      cannot pass these increased costs to                    shall provide a revised version of the                 example would clarify that the creditor
                                                      consumers in the specific transactions                  disclosures required under                             complies with the requirements of
                                                      where they arise, creditors may spread                  § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the disclosures
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                                                                                                                                                                     § 1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the
                                                      the costs across all consumers by                       required under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i)                      disclosures required by § 1026.19(f)(2)(i)
                                                      pricing their loan products with a                      (including any corrected disclosures                   reflecting the consumer-requested
                                                      margin. The Bureau also understands                     provided under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii))             changes on Thursday.
                                                      from outreach and from comments                         reflecting the revised estimate within                    • The proposed example in comment
                                                      received in response to the 2016                        three business days of receiving                       19(e)(4)(ii)–1.iv would assume that
                                                      Proposal that creditors may seek other                  information sufficient to establish that               consummation is originally scheduled
                                                      ways of avoiding absorbing these                        one of the reasons for revision applies.               for Wednesday. The proposed example
                                                      unexpected costs, such as rejecting                                                                            would provide that the creditor hand
                                                      applications from consumers, even after                   31 See   12 CFR 1026.38(a)(2).                       delivers the disclosures required by


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                                                      37800                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on the Friday before                 the points disclosed pursuant to                      eliminating the current four-business
                                                      the scheduled consummation date and                     § 1026.37(f)(1), lender credits, and any              day limit for resetting tolerances with a
                                                      the APR becomes inaccurate on the                       other interest rate dependent charges                 Closing Disclosure could remove a
                                                      Monday before the scheduled                             and terms. In the January 2015                        disincentive that currently exists to
                                                      consummation date, such that the                        Amendments, the Bureau also adopted                   provide Closing Disclosures before final
                                                      creditor is required to delay                           modified versions of proposed                         terms and costs are reliably available
                                                      consummation and provide corrected                      comments 19(e)(3)(iv)(D)–1 and                        (i.e., under the current rule, waiting to
                                                      disclosures, including any other                        19(e)(4)(i)–2 to reflect that change. To              provide the Closing Disclosure until
                                                      changed terms, so that the consumer                     further reflect the changes made by the               close to the time of consummation
                                                      receives them at least three business                   January 2015 Amendments to                            decreases, to some extent, the likelihood
                                                      days before consummation under                          § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D), the Bureau is                 of a timing issue arising with respect to
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii). Consummation is                    proposing to amend § 1026.19(e)(4)(i)                 resetting tolerances with corrected
                                                      rescheduled for Friday. The proposed                    and comment 19(e)(4)(i)–1. The Bureau                 Closing Disclosures).
                                                      comment would clarify that the creditor                 also proposes to remove existing                         Accordingly, the Bureau requests
                                                      complies with the requirements of                       comment 19(e)(4)(i)–2, regarding the                  comment on the extent to which
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the                  relationship to § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D),               creditors are currently providing
                                                      disclosures required by                                 which the Bureau believes may no                      Closing Disclosures to consumers so
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii) reflecting the revised              longer be necessary.                                  that they are received substantially
                                                      APR and any other changed terms to the                     The Bureau solicits comment on the                 before the required three business days
                                                      consumer on Tuesday. The proposed                       proposed changes. In particular, the                  prior to consummation with terms and
                                                      comment would refer to                                  Bureau requests information on the                    costs that are nearly certain to be
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii) and associated                      extent to which the current four-                     revised. To the extent this is occurring,
                                                      commentary regarding changes before                     business day limit has caused situations              the Bureau requests comment on the
                                                      consummation requiring a new waiting                    where creditors cannot provide either a               number of business days before
                                                      period and to comment 19(e)(4)(i)–1 for                 revised Loan Estimate or Closing                      consummation consumers are receiving
                                                      further guidance on when sufficient                     Disclosure to reset tolerances even if a              the Closing Disclosure. The Bureau also
                                                      information has been received to                        reason for revision under                             requests comment on whether creditors,
                                                      establish an event has occurred.                        § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) would otherwise                   in those instances, are issuing revised
                                                         The proposal would also make                         permit the creditor to reset tolerances.              Closing Disclosures pursuant to
                                                      conforming amendments to the heading                    The Bureau requests information on the                § 1026.19(f)(2). In addition, the Bureau
                                                      of § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) and to comments                  frequency and the cause of such                       requests comment on the extent to
                                                      19(e)(1)(ii)–1 and 19(e)(4)(i)–1 in light of            occurrences, specifically including                   which creditors might change their
                                                      these proposed amendments.                              whether the event that would have                     current practices regarding provision of
                                                         Finally, the proposal would make                     otherwise permitted the creditor to reset             the Closing Disclosure if the proposal to
                                                      several changes to § 1026.19(e)(4) and                  tolerances occurred after the Closing                 remove the four-business day limit is
                                                      its commentary to reflect amendments                    Disclosure had been provided to the                   adopted. The Bureau also requests
                                                      to the rule made by the January 2015                    consumer and whether there was a                      comment on potential harms to
                                                      Amendments regarding interest rate                      delay to the expected consummation                    consumers where creditors provide
                                                      dependent charges. Section                              date after the creditor provided the                  Closing Disclosures to consumers so
                                                      1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D), as adopted by the                 Closing Disclosure. The Bureau also                   that they are received more than the
                                                      2013 TILA–RESPA Final Rule,                             requests comment on the average costs                 required three business days prior to
                                                      previously required creditors to provide                and the nature of such costs (i.e., rate              consummation with terms and costs that
                                                      the consumer with a revised disclosure                  lock extension fees, additional appraisal             are nearly certain to be revised. The
                                                      with the revised interest rate, the points              or inspections fees, or other fees)                   Bureau additionally requests comment
                                                      disclosed pursuant to § 1026.37(f)(1),                  associated with such occurrences.                     on whether it should consider adopting
                                                      lender credits, and any other interest                     The Bureau also requests additional                measures to prevent such harms in a
                                                      rate dependent charges and terms on the                 information that would assist the                     future rulemaking.
                                                      date the interest rate is locked. The                   Bureau in evaluating potential                           The Bureau is also concerned about
                                                      January 2015 Amendments changed                         consequences of the proposal. For                     other potential consequences that might
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D) to provide                       example, some commenters in response                  result from removing the four-business
                                                      creditors with more time (three business                to the 2016 Proposal expressed concern                day limit that currently applies to
                                                      days) to provide the revised disclosure.                that removal of the four-business day                 resetting tolerances with a Closing
                                                      This amendment harmonized the timing                    limit could result in some creditors                  Disclosure. For example, compared to
                                                      requirement in § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D)                   providing Closing Disclosures very early              current rules, the proposed changes
                                                      with other timing requirements for                      in the lending process. These                         could allow creditors to pass more costs
                                                      redisclosure adopted in the 2013 TILA–                  commenters suggested that, to the extent              on to consumers. The Bureau solicits
                                                      RESPA Final Rule and addressed                          that occurs, it could have negative                   comment on whether the circumstances
                                                      operational challenges associated with                  effects on some consumers. Although                   for resetting tolerances in
                                                      the prior requirement that gave creditors               the Closing Disclosure is a statement of              § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) provide sufficient
                                                      less time to provide revised disclosures                final loan terms and closing costs, the               protection against potential consumer
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                                                      regarding interest rate dependent                       Bureau understands from comments                      harm or whether additional limitations
                                                      charges. To implement this change, the                  received in response to the 2016                      are appropriate for resetting tolerances
                                                      Bureau revised § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(D) to                Proposal and from outreach that some                  after the issuance of a Closing
                                                      state that, no later than three business                creditors currently provide the Closing               Disclosure. For example, the Bureau
                                                      days after the date the interest rate is                Disclosure to consumers so early in the               requests comment on whether it would
                                                      locked, the creditor shall provide a                    process that the terms and costs are                  be appropriate to allow creditors to reset
                                                      revised version of the disclosures                      nearly certain to be revised. To the                  tolerances with a corrected Closing
                                                      required under § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) to the                extent that is currently true for some                Disclosure in circumstances that are
                                                      consumer with the revised interest rate,                creditors, commenters noted that                      more limited than those described in


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                         37801

                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) (for example, only                  rule currently allows creditors to reset              reject the application. In these cases the
                                                      when the increased costs result from a                  tolerances, such as: Change in costs;                 proposed change will create costs for
                                                      consumer request or unforeseeable                       new information regarding eligibility of              consumers because now any changes in
                                                      event, such as a natural disaster).                     the borrower; and borrower-requested                  costs due to unexpected events would
                                                      Similarly, the Bureau requests comment                  change (for instance, rate lock                       be passed on to consumers. However, in
                                                      on whether the rule should be more                      extension). The potential benefits and                some situations, such as cost increases
                                                      restrictive with respect to resetting                   costs of the provisions contained in the              due to a borrower-requested change,
                                                      tolerances with a corrected Closing                     proposed rule are evaluated relative to               these extra costs might be avoidable. To
                                                      Disclosure for certain third-party costs                the baseline where the current                        the extent that creditors are currently
                                                      (such as appraisal fees) and creditor fees              provisions of the TILA–RESPA Rule                     pricing in the risk of having to absorb
                                                      (such as interest rate lock extension                   remain in place. Under the current rule,              unexpected cost increases, the proposed
                                                      fees) and the types of costs and fees that              there is no specific provision that allows            change would remove this extra layer of
                                                      might be subject to any more restrictive                creditors to use a Closing Disclosure to              risk adjustment and create a benefit to
                                                      rules. The Bureau also requests                         reset tolerances if there are four or more            consumers in the form of lower cost of
                                                      comment on whether removing the four-                   days between the time the revised                     credit. The Bureau is requesting
                                                      business day limit might result in                      version of the disclosures is required to             comment on the incidence of cases
                                                      confusion or information overload to the                be provided pursuant to                               where creditors have to absorb the extra
                                                      consumer as a result of receiving more                  § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) and consummation.                  cost increases, and the extent to which
                                                      corrected Closing Disclosures. The                      This can lead to circumstances where a                such possibility is currently priced into
                                                      Bureau requests comment on additional                   creditor is not allowed to reset                      loan costs.
                                                      consumer protections that might be                      tolerances if it has already provided the                Second, there may be cases where an
                                                      appropriate to promote the purposes of                  Closing Disclosure to the consumer                    initial Closing Disclosure has been
                                                      the disclosures or prevent                              when it learns about the increase in                  provided to the consumer well in
                                                      circumvention or evasion and                            cost. In such cases, some creditors,                  advance of consummation, where the
                                                      additional potential consumer harms                     faced with the prospect of absorbing                  creditor subsequently learns about a
                                                      the Bureau has not identified.                          cost increases, may choose to reject the              change in cost that would be a cause to
                                                                                                              application.                                          reset tolerances. The creditor may be
                                                      V. Dodd-Frank Act Section 1022(b)(2)                       The Bureau seeks comment on data                   unable to reset tolerances currently due
                                                      Analysis                                                that would help to quantify costs and                 to the four-business day limit and may
                                                      A. Overview                                             benefits and any associated burden with               choose to reject the application for this
                                                                                                              the proposed changes. Specifically, the               reason. In such cases the proposed
                                                         In developing the proposed rule, the
                                                                                                              Bureau is seeking information on the                  change would benefit borrowers by
                                                      Bureau has considered the potential
                                                                                                              frequency and timing of unexpected                    giving them an option of paying extra
                                                      benefits, costs, and impacts.32 The
                                                                                                              changes that occur after the Closing                  costs instead of having their
                                                      Bureau requests comment on the
                                                                                                              Disclosure was issued.                                applications rejected; the Bureau
                                                      preliminary analysis presented below as                                                                       believes that some borrowers may prefer
                                                      well as submissions of additional data                  B. Potential Benefits and Costs to
                                                                                                                                                                    to pay extra costs rather than have their
                                                      that could inform the Bureau’s analysis                 Consumers and Covered Persons
                                                                                                                                                                    applications rejected. The Bureau is
                                                      of the benefits, costs, and impacts. The                  The Bureau believes the proposed                    requesting comment on the incidence of
                                                      Bureau has consulted, or offered to                     change will benefit creditors by                      cases where an application is rejected
                                                      consult with, the prudential regulators,                providing them with an option of                      for the inability of a creditor to pass on
                                                      the Securities and Exchange                             resetting tolerances in situations where              the unexpected cost increases.
                                                      Commission, the Department of Housing                   they currently do not have that option.                  Third, there are hypothetically
                                                      and Urban Development, the Federal                      The Bureau does not believe there                     situations where a creditor would prefer
                                                      Housing Finance Agency, the Federal                     would be any increased costs to                       to provide the initial Closing Disclosure
                                                      Trade Commission, the U.S. Department                   creditors from the proposed change                    well in advance of consummation, but
                                                      of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department                compared to the baseline where the                    is deterred from doing so by the risk of
                                                      of Agriculture, and the Department of                   current provisions of the TILA–RESPA                  not being able to reset tolerances in case
                                                      the Treasury, including regarding                       Rule remain in place, as the proposed                 an unexpected change occurs. In such
                                                      consistency with any prudential,                        change is less restrictive for creditors              cases, the proposed change may result
                                                      market, or systemic objectives                          than the current provisions.                          in more situations where the initial
                                                      administered by such agencies.                            The Bureau believes consumers will                  Closing Disclosure is provided well in
                                                         This proposal would make a                           generally benefit from the proposed                   advance of consummation; this may
                                                      substantive change to the current TILA–                 change, although several concerns                     affect the accuracy of the disclosure if
                                                      RESPA Rule, by allowing creditors to                    remain; the Bureau is requesting                      unexpected cost changes occur between
                                                      reset tolerances with a Closing                         comment on the merits of these                        the issuance and the consummation.
                                                      Disclosure (both initial and corrected),                concerns. It is helpful to consider                   The Bureau believes creditors
                                                      irrespective of the date of                             benefits and costs to consumers                       themselves may generally prefer to
                                                      consummation. This new provision is                     separately in the following scenarios.                provide the initial Closing Disclosure
                                                      restricted to circumstances where the                     First, there may be cases where an                  not too far before the consummation
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                                                                                                              initial Closing Disclosure has been                   date, to preserve the Closing
                                                        32 Specifically, section 1022(b)(2)(A) of the Dodd-
                                                                                                              provided to the consumer well in                      Disclosure’s role as the statement of
                                                      Frank Act calls for the Bureau to consider the
                                                      potential benefits and costs of a regulation to
                                                                                                              advance of consummation where the                     actual costs and because it is a good
                                                      consumers and covered persons, including the            creditor subsequently learns about a                  customer service. However, the Bureau
                                                      potential reduction of access by consumers to           change in cost that would be a cause to               has received feedback from industry
                                                      consumer financial products or services; the impact     reset tolerances. The creditor may be                 participants indicating that some
                                                      on depository institutions and credit unions with
                                                      $10 billion or less in total assets as described in
                                                                                                              unable to reset tolerances currently due              creditors may prefer to provide the
                                                      section 1026 of the Dodd-Frank Act; and the impact      to the four-business day limit, and may               initial Closing Disclosure earlier than is
                                                      on consumers in rural areas.                            choose to absorb extra costs rather than              their current practice; for these


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                                                      37802                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      creditors, the proposed change will                     a substantial number of small entities.               PART 1026—TRUTH IN LENDING
                                                      provide a benefit in the form of                        The Bureau also is subject to certain                 (REGULATION Z)
                                                      additional flexibility as to the issuance               additional procedures under the RFA
                                                      of the Closing Disclosure. As noted                     involving the convening of a panel to                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 1026
                                                      previously, the Bureau is requesting                    consult with small business                           continues to read as follows:
                                                      comment on the extent to which                          representatives prior to proposing a rule               Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2601, 2603–2605,
                                                      creditors currently are providing                       for which an IRFA is required.                        2607, 2609, 2617, 3353, 5511, 5512, 5532,
                                                      Closing Disclosures substantially before                   The Bureau believes that the proposed              5581; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
                                                      the required three business days before                 change will not create a significant                  *        *   *    *     *
                                                      consummation and, to the extent this is                 economic impact on a substantial
                                                      occurring, on the number of business                    number of small entities. As described                Subpart C—Closed-End Credit
                                                      days before consummation consumers                      above, the proposed rule would reduce
                                                                                                              burden in a specific set of circumstances             ■ 2. Section 1026.19 is amended by
                                                      are receiving the Closing Disclosure.
                                                                                                              that an individual small entity would                 revising paragraphs (e)(4)(i) and (ii) to
                                                      The Bureau also is requesting comment
                                                                                                              not frequently encounter. Therefore, an               read as follows:
                                                      on the extent to which creditors might
                                                      change their current practices regarding                IRFA is not required for this proposal.               § 1026.19 Certain mortgage and variable-
                                                      of the timing of provision of the Closing                  Accordingly, the undersigned certifies             rate transactions.
                                                      Disclosures, if the proposal to remove                  that this proposal, if adopted, would not             *       *    *     *     *
                                                      the four-business day limit is adopted.                 have a significant economic impact on                    (e) * * *
                                                                                                              a substantial number of small entities.                  (4) * * *
                                                      C. Impact on Covered Persons With No                    The Bureau requests comment on the
                                                      More Than $10 Billion in Assets                                                                                  (i) General rule. Subject to the
                                                                                                              analysis above and requests any relevant              requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of
                                                        As discussed previously, the Bureau                   data.                                                 this section, if a creditor uses a revised
                                                      believes the proposed change would not                                                                        estimate pursuant to paragraph (e)(3)(iv)
                                                                                                              VII. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                      create costs for creditors, including                                                                         of this section for the purpose of
                                                      those with no more than $10 billion in                    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act                   determining good faith under
                                                      assets.                                                 of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.),               paragraphs (e)(3)(i) and (ii) of this
                                                                                                              Federal agencies are generally required               section, the creditor shall provide a
                                                      D. Impact on Access to Credit                           to seek the Office of Management and                  revised version of the disclosures
                                                         The Bureau does not believe the                      Budget (OMB) approval for information                 required under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this
                                                      proposed change will have a negative                    collection requirements prior to                      section or the disclosures required
                                                      effect on access to credit. On the                      implementation. The collections of                    under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section
                                                      contrary, the Bureau believes the                       information related to Regulations Z and              (including any corrected disclosures
                                                      proposed change may have a beneficial                   X have been previously reviewed and                   provided under paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (ii)
                                                      effect on access to credit. This may                    approved by OMB in accordance with                    of this section) reflecting the revised
                                                      occur to the extent that the current                    the PRA and assigned OMB Control                      estimate within three business days of
                                                      restrictions on resetting tolerances using              Number 3170–0015 (Regulation Z) and                   receiving information sufficient to
                                                      a Closing Disclosure are reflected in                   3170–0016 (Regulation X). Under the                   establish that one of the reasons for
                                                      credit pricing, and to the extent that                  PRA, the Bureau may not conduct or                    revision provided under paragraphs
                                                      removing such restrictions would result                 sponsor, and, notwithstanding any other               (e)(3)(iv)(A) through (F) of this section
                                                      in creditors reducing prices accordingly.               provision of law, a person is not                     applies.
                                                                                                              required to respond to an information                    (ii) Relationship between revised Loan
                                                      E. Impact on Rural Areas
                                                                                                              collection unless the information                     Estimates and Closing Disclosures. The
                                                        The Bureau does not believe that the                  collection displays a valid control
                                                      proposed changes will have an adverse                                                                         creditor shall not provide a revised
                                                                                                              number assigned by OMB.                               version of the disclosures required
                                                      impact on consumers in rural areas.                       The Bureau has determined that this
                                                                                                                                                                    under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section
                                                      VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis                 proposed rule does not contain any
                                                                                                                                                                    on or after the date on which the
                                                                                                              information collection requirements as
                                                         The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the                                                                        creditor provides the disclosures
                                                                                                              defined by the PRA. The Bureau
                                                      RFA), as amended by the Small                                                                                 required under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this
                                                                                                              welcomes comments on this
                                                      Business Regulatory Enforcement                                                                               section. The consumer must receive any
                                                                                                              determination, which may be submitted
                                                      Fairness Act of 1996, requires each                                                                           revised version of the disclosures
                                                                                                              to the Bureau at the Consumer Financial
                                                      agency to consider the potential impact                                                                       required under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this
                                                                                                              Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA
                                                      of its regulations on small entities,                                                                         section not later than four business days
                                                                                                              Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington,
                                                      including small businesses, small                                                                             prior to consummation. If the revised
                                                                                                              DC 20552, or by email to CFPB_PRA@
                                                      governmental units, and small nonprofit                                                                       version of the disclosures required
                                                                                                              cfpb.gov.
                                                      organizations. The RFA defines a ‘‘small                                                                      under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section
                                                      business’’ as a business that meets the                 List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1026                  is not provided to the consumer in
                                                      size standard developed by the Small                      Advertising, Appraisal, Appraiser,                  person, the consumer is considered to
                                                      Business Administration pursuant to the                                                                       have received such version three
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                                                                                                              Banking, Banks, Consumer protection,
                                                      Small Business Act.                                     Credit, Credit unions, Mortgages,                     business days after the creditor delivers
                                                         The RFA generally requires an agency                 National banks, Reporting and                         or places such version in the mail.
                                                      to conduct an initial regulatory                        recordkeeping requirements, Savings                   *       *    *     *     *
                                                      flexibility analysis (IRFA) and a final                 associations, Truth in lending.                       ■ 3. In Supplement I to Part 1026—
                                                      regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) of                                                                     Official Interpretations, under Section
                                                      any rule subject to notice-and-comment                  Authority and Issuance                                1026.19—Certain Mortgage and
                                                      rulemaking requirements, unless the                       For the reasons set forth above, the                Variable-Rate Transactions, under 19(e)
                                                      agency certifies that the rule will not                 Bureau proposes to amend Regulation Z,                Mortgage loans secured by real
                                                      have a significant economic impact on                   12 CFR part 1026, as set forth below:                 property—Early disclosures:


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                          37803

                                                      ■ a. Under 19(e)(1)(ii) Mortgage broker,                all such requirements satisfy the                     the creditor has received sufficient
                                                      paragraph 1 is revised.                                 creditor’s obligation under § 1026.19(e).             information to establish a valid reason
                                                      ■ b. 19(e)(4)(i) General rule is revised.               The term ‘‘mortgage broker,’’ as used in              for revision and must provide revised
                                                      ■ c. 19(e)(4)(ii) Relationship to                       § 1026.19(e)(1)(ii), has the same                     disclosures reflecting the 11 percent
                                                      disclosures required under                              meaning as in § 1026.36(a)(2). See also               increase by Thursday to comply with
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) is revised.                          comment 36(a)–2. Section                              § 1026.19(e)(4)(i).
                                                        The revisions and additions read as                   1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(B) provides that if a                  iii. Assume a creditor requires an
                                                      follows:                                                mortgage broker provides any disclosure               appraisal. The creditor receives the
                                                                                                              required under § 1026.19(e), the                      appraisal report, which indicates that
                                                      Supplement I to Part 1026—Official
                                                                                                              mortgage broker must also comply with                 the value of the home is significantly
                                                      Interpretations
                                                                                                              the requirements of § 1026.25(c). For                 lower than expected. However, the
                                                      *      *     *       *      *                           example, if a mortgage broker provides                creditor has reason to doubt the validity
                                                      Section 1026.19—Certain Mortgage and                    the disclosures required under                        of the appraisal report. A reason for
                                                      Variable-Rate Transactions                              § 1026.19(e)(1)(i), it must maintain                  revision has not been established
                                                                                                              records for three years, in compliance                because the creditor reasonably believes
                                                      *      *      *     *    *                              with § 1026.25(c)(1)(i).                              that the appraisal report is incorrect.
                                                         19(e) Mortgage loans secured by real                 *      *     *    *      *                            The creditor then chooses to send a
                                                      property—Early disclosures.                                19(e)(4) Provision and receipt of                  different appraiser for a second opinion,
                                                      *      *      *     *    *                              revised disclosures.                                  but the second appraiser returns a
                                                         19(e)(1) Provision of disclosures.                      19(e)(4)(i) General rule.                          similar report. At this point, the creditor
                                                      *      *      *     *    *                                 1. Three-business-day requirement.                 has received information sufficient to
                                                         19(e)(1)(ii) Mortgage broker.                        Section 1026.19(e)(4)(i) provides that,               establish that a reason for revision has,
                                                         1. Mortgage broker responsibilities.                 subject to the requirements of                        in fact, occurred, and must provide
                                                      Section 1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) provides                   § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii), if a creditor uses a             corrected disclosures within three
                                                      that if a mortgage broker receives a                    revised estimate pursuant to                          business days of receiving the second
                                                      consumer’s application, either the                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of                appraisal report. In this example, in
                                                      creditor or the mortgage broker must                    determining good faith under                          order to comply with
                                                      provide the consumer with the                           § 1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor             §§ 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) and 1026.25, the
                                                      disclosures required under                              shall provide a revised version of the                creditor must maintain records
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) in accordance with                   disclosures required under                            documenting the creditor’s doubts
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(1)(iii). Section                           § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the disclosures                 regarding the validity of the appraisal to
                                                      1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) also provides that if              required under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i)                     demonstrate that the reason for revision
                                                      the mortgage broker provides the                        (including any corrected disclosures                  did not occur upon receipt of the first
                                                      required disclosures, it must comply                    provided under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii))            appraisal report.
                                                      with all relevant requirements of                       reflecting the revised estimate within                   19(e)(4)(ii) Relationship between
                                                      § 1026.19(e). This means that ‘‘mortgage                three business days of receiving                      revised Loan Estimates and Closing
                                                      broker’’ should be read in the place of                 information sufficient to establish that              Disclosures.
                                                      ‘‘creditor’’ for all provisions of                      one of the reasons for revision provided                 1. Revised Loan Estimate may not be
                                                      § 1026.19(e), except to the extent that                 under § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A) through (F)              delivered at the same time as the
                                                      such a reading would create                             has occurred. The following examples                  Closing Disclosure. Section
                                                      responsibility for mortgage brokers                     illustrate these requirements:                        1026.19(e)(4)(ii) prohibits a creditor
                                                      under § 1026.19(f). To illustrate,                         i. Assume a creditor requires a pest               from providing a revised version of the
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(4)(ii) states that if a creditor           inspection. The unaffiliated pest                     disclosures required under
                                                      uses a revised estimate pursuant to                     inspection company informs the                        § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) on or after the date on
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv) for the purpose of                  creditor on Monday that the subject                   which the creditor provides the
                                                      determining good faith under                            property contains evidence of termite                 disclosures required under
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(i) and (ii), the creditor               damage, requiring a further inspection,               § 1026.19(f)(1)(i). Section
                                                      shall provide a revised version of the                  the cost of which will cause an increase              1026.19(e)(4)(ii) also requires that the
                                                      disclosures required under                              in estimated settlement charges subject               consumer must receive any revised
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) or the disclosures                   to § 1026.19(e)(3)(ii) by more than 10                version of the disclosures required
                                                      required under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i)                       percent. The creditor must provide                    under § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) no later than
                                                      (including any corrected disclosures                    revised disclosures by Thursday to                    four business days prior to
                                                      provided under § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii))              comply with § 1026.19(e)(4)(i).                       consummation, and provides that if the
                                                      reflecting the revised estimate.                           ii. Assume a creditor receives                     revised version of the disclosures are
                                                      ‘‘Mortgage broker’’ could not be read in                information on Monday that, because of                not provided to the consumer in person,
                                                      place of ‘‘creditor’’ in reference to the               a changed circumstance under                          the consumer is considered to have
                                                      disclosures required under                              § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A), the title fees will           received the revised version of the
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i), (f)(2)(i), or (f)(2)(ii)            increase by an amount totaling six                    disclosures three business days after the
                                                      because mortgage brokers are not                        percent of the originally estimated                   creditor delivers or places in the mail
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                                                      responsible for the disclosures required                settlement charges subject to                         the revised version of the disclosures.
                                                      under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i), (f)(2)(i), or                 § 1026.19(e)(3)(ii). The creditor had                 See also comments 19(e)(1)(iv)–1 and
                                                      (f)(2)(ii). In addition,                                received information three weeks before               –2. However, § 1026.19(e)(4)(i) permits
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(1)(ii)(A) provides that the                that, because of a changed circumstance               the creditor to provide the revised
                                                      creditor must ensure that disclosures                   under § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(A), the pest                estimate in the disclosures required
                                                      provided by mortgage brokers comply                     inspection fees increased by an amount                under § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) (including any
                                                      with all requirements of § 1026.19(e),                  totaling five percent of the originally               corrected disclosures provided under
                                                      and that disclosures provided by                        estimated settlement charges subject to               § 1026.19(f)(2)(i) or (ii)). See below for
                                                      mortgage brokers that do comply with                    § 1026.19(e)(3)(ii). Thus, on Monday,                 illustrative examples:


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                                                      37804                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                        i. If the creditor is scheduled to meet               Wednesday. However, the creditor does                 creditor is required to delay
                                                      with the consumer and provide the                       not comply if it provides both the                    consummation and provide corrected
                                                      disclosures required by § 1026.19(f)(1)(i)              revised version of the disclosures                    disclosures, including any other
                                                      on Wednesday, and the APR becomes                       required under § 1026.19(e)(1)(i)                     changed terms, so that the consumer
                                                      inaccurate on Tuesday, the creditor                     reflecting consumer requested changes,                receives them at least three business
                                                      complies with the requirements of                       and also the disclosures required under               days before consummation under
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(4) by providing the                        § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Wednesday.                      § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii). Consummation is
                                                      disclosures required under                                 iii. Consummation is scheduled for                 rescheduled for Friday. The creditor
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) reflecting the revised               Thursday. The creditor hand delivers                  complies with the requirements of
                                                      APR on Wednesday. However, the                          the disclosures required by                           § 1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the
                                                      creditor does not comply with the                       § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Monday, and, on
                                                                                                                                                                    disclosures required by
                                                      requirements of § 1026.19(e)(4) if it                   Tuesday, the consumer requests a
                                                                                                                                                                    § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii) reflecting the revised
                                                      provided both a revised version of the                  change to the loan that would result in
                                                                                                                                                                    APR and any other changed terms to the
                                                      disclosures required under                              a revised disclosure pursuant to
                                                                                                              § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) but would not                  consumer on Tuesday. See
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(1)(i) reflecting the revised
                                                                                                              require a new waiting period pursuant                 § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii) and associated
                                                      APR on Wednesday, and also provides
                                                      the disclosures required under                          to § 1026.19(f)(2)(ii). The creditor                  commentary regarding changes before
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on Wednesday.                        complies with the requirements of                     consummation requiring a new waiting
                                                        ii. If the creditor is scheduled to email             § 1026.19(e)(4) by hand delivering the                period. See comment 19(e)(4)(i)–1 for
                                                      the disclosures required under                          disclosures required by § 1026.19(f)(2)(i)            further guidance on when sufficient
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) to the consumer on                   reflecting the consumer-requested                     information has been received to
                                                      Wednesday, and the consumer requests                    changes on Thursday.                                  establish an event has occurred.
                                                      a change to the loan that would result                     iv. Consummation is originally                     *     *     *     *      *
                                                      in revised disclosures pursuant to                      scheduled for Wednesday. The creditor                   Dated: July 6, 2017.
                                                      § 1026.19(e)(3)(iv)(C) on Tuesday, the                  hand delivers the disclosures required
                                                      creditor complies with the requirements                 by § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) on the Friday before            Richard Cordray,
                                                      of § 1026.19(e)(4) by providing the                     the scheduled consummation date and                   Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial
                                                      disclosures required under                              the APR becomes inaccurate on the                     Protection.
                                                      § 1026.19(f)(1)(i) reflecting the                       Monday before the scheduled                           [FR Doc. 2017–15763 Filed 8–10–17; 8:45 am]
                                                      consumer-requested changes on                           consummation date, such that the                      BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:48:10
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:48:10
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule with request for public comment.
DatesComments must be received on or before October 10, 2017.
ContactPedro De Oliveira, Counsel, and David Friend and Priscilla Walton-Fein, Senior Counsels, Office of Regulations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, at 202-435-7700.
FR Citation82 FR 37794 
RIN Number3170-AA61
CFR AssociatedAdvertising; Appraisal; Appraiser; Banking; Banks; Consumer Protection; Credit; Credit Unions; Mortgages; National Banks; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Savings Associations and Truth in Lending

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